Former Playboy Model Monica Hansen Sues Doctor Over Photos

Former Playboy model Monica Hansen is suing a Miami plastic surgeon for using photos of her to promote his business without permission. The former Miss Norway claims Dr. Leonard Hochstein posted photos of her on his website against her will, but he claims he had permission to use the images.

Monica Hansen, voted Maxim‘s ‘Woman of the year’ in 2006, sued Dr. Leonard Hochstein after he used photos of her on his website to promote his plastic surgery practice in Miami. The two had reportedly dated for a brief time and maintained a friendly relationship after they broke up, according to MiamiHerald.com. But things between the former couple went badly wrong when the doctor decided to use pics of the former Playboy model to sell his surgical services.

Hansen won a judgement against Dr. Hochstein for more than $550,000 over the use of her photos, but the doctor is now challenging that judgement. The renowned plastic surgeon claims he had permission to use the photos when he posted them and gave Hansen discounted surgeries in exchange for her photos. Hochstein plans to hand over emails and MySpace messages from Hansen showing she was fully aware he had rights to use the images, including one where she stated she “was not going to sue” because she “did let Lenny use the pictures.”

Hochstein wants the previous judgement set aside. An appeal hearing for the judgement is scheduled for Sept 30 in Los Angeles.