A Southern California filmmaker and homeless man who appeared in a viral video were threatening a lawsuit after allegations surfaced that the whole thing was staged.
Josh Paler Lin and Ken Thomas Nichol, both featured in the video, told KTLA in a joint interview Thursday night that they have already hired a lawyer.
“We’ve got a lawyer on this, and we’re starting with a cease and desist order,” Nichol said.
The controversy began after Josh Paler Lin, a self-described “social experiment prankster,” posted a video to YouTube last week showing him giving Nichol $100 on a 91 Freeway off-ramp in Anaheim.
The video showed Nichols buying food that he then gave away to others at a nearby park who appear to be in need.
On Friday, Kevin Nichol told KTLA that his brother wasn’t homeless and was being taken advantage of in a scheme to raise money.
Rick Chambers reports for the KTLA 5 News at 10 on Friday, Jan. 2, 2015.