EXCLUSIVE: First Black Supermodel Hit With Defamation Suit
May 6 2009, Published 12:33 p.m. ET
Beverly Johnson, the first African American woman ever to grace the cover of Vogue magazine, has been slapped with a civil lawsuit for defamation of character and infliction of emotional distress.
The civil suit comes from Mark Anthony Burk, a former lover of Johnson's, in response to a suit filed by the model claiming he threatened to kill her and her pets.
Documents filed Riverside, Ca. last month have Burk claiming the allegations tarnished his character and impacted his career as a professional golf player. He is asking for payment of legal fees in addition to damages in the amount of $5,000,000.
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Johnson, who revolutionized modeling by gracing American Vogue in 1974 as its first black covergirl, has a history of tumultuous relationships. She dated Sex and the City star Chris, who she also accused of abuse.
(Photo: Buzz Photo)