No charges to be filed after 'Tigger' complaint

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Sarah Lundy | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted February 15, 2007, 3:28 PM EST Video

Tigger, the Walt Disney World character, is no longer in the cross-hairs of the State Attorney's Office.

No charges will be filed against 31-year-old Michael J. Fedelem, the employee playing Winnie the Pooh's bouncy friend, the State Attorney's Office announced today.

Prosecutors reviewed the complaint that Tigger punched a 14-year-old during a home-video session at Disney-MGM Studios last month.

 

[Subrbnmommy]

Wow! That's good news!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We all knew the guy was innocent, it was jut a matter of time when he would officially have these charges dropped against him.

Also it's good to see this family won't be getting any money from WDW, because you can tell they were out to scam them. I saw a clip of the kid on Youtube talking to the meda & he did not look like someone who was hurt with injuries & etc.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

Great news to start off the weekend, I do still hope that he will be employed with Disney!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Great news to start off the weekend, I do still hope that he will be employed with Disney!

Here is something from the Fox News website that mentions his status where it comes to him going back to work for WDW.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Criminal charges will not be filed against a Disney employee accused of hitting a teenager while in costume as the Winnie the Pooh character "Tigger," authorities said.

The State Attorney's Office announced Thursday that it will not press charges against Michael J. Fedelem. Prosecutors made the decision after reviewing a complaint from New Hampshire resident Jerry Monaco.

Monaco videotaped his 14-year-old son, Jerry Jr., posing with a costumed Fedelem at Disney-MGM Studios in January. At some point a confrontation occurred between the boy and Fedelem. The father later watched the videotape and said Fedelem intentionally hit his son "on or about the head," Orange County Sheriff officials said.

Park officials suspended Fedelem, 31, while the investigation was being conducted. A telephone call placed to Disney officials by The Associated Press early Friday to find out Fedelem's employment status was not immediately returned.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I read elsewhere on these boards a few days ago from someone who 'seemed' to 'know'...

He's back at work and was paid for his shifts he missed while suspended.

Hopefully someone can confirm.

J

 

[Fernter65]

Ths paraphrase another great orange furry cat about this news.....It's GRRRRRRRRRRREAT!!!

 

[sarah_n_brian2006]

In the beginning, he was said to be suspended with pay. So I am assuming that he got paid while all of this was going on.

 

[ukcatfan]

He should turn around and sue them for slander for running his name through the mud.

Kevin

 

[Vickie46]

I totally agree.. think of the stress that poor man went thru with this family... How terrible. That family is just awful! I am so glad the Tigger guy is off the hook! He should have never went thru that!

 

[MareSINY]

I just saw the article online and was coming over here to see if anyone had posted about it yet.

I'm really glad they didn't file charges, it's always nice when justice prevails.

I still think this family will try to get something from Disney. Civil suit perhaps? Such losers!

 

[loopner67]

He should turn around and sue them for slander for running his name through the mud.

Kevin

I agree. That's the first thing I thought about when reading this. And that family should be barred from WDW.

 

[wic0721]

I was actually just wondering if there were any updates on this, I had just seen someone's "I support Tigger smiley" on another post!

I'm glad this has been resolved finally! I feel bad for the CM that had to go through all of this! Yeah Tigger!!!

 

[Lindy Loo]

Good news!

At last so common sense has been applied to a decision!

I hope the CM ws paid for all the missed shifts and he is now back at work.

The family should be ashamed of themselves, to even think to bring a case against the CM. From all the video clips it is clear the boy was pulling or pushing Tigger. Im glad they didnt get anything from Disney, otherwise it would encourage others with stupid claims.


WELL DONE TO TIGGER!!!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I'm very glad no charges were filed, but I'm sure that they will still try to file a civil law suit. I hope no lawyer will take it, but I did read on another message board that they already contacted a lawyer from FL. We'll have to wait and see what happens...but as far as I'm concerned, the family should be banned from WDW AND have to pay back wages for Tigger!

 

[kribit]

He should turn around and sue them for slander for running his name through the mud.

I agree.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Since there were no criminal penalties assessed.. a civil action would probably be tossed on summary judgement without much care by a judge before it even got to trial.

I think we're looking at the end of this story.

The son would have a hard time proving actual damages. A good lawyer on Disney's side would argue that far more damage (emotional damage anyway) was done to the son by his family by drawing media attention to the matter, than by the event itself.

And without the criminal action, other types of damages would almost impossible to secure.

J

 

[Caboosey]

Hooray for Tigger!! I'm glad that worked out.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Since there were no criminal penalties assessed.. a civil action would probably be tossed on summary judgement without much care by a judge before it even got to trial.

I think we're looking at the end of this story.

The son would have a hard time proving actual damages. A good lawyer on Disney's side would argue that far more damage (emotional damage anyway) was done to the son by his family by drawing media attention to the matter, than by the event itself.

And without the criminal action, other types of damages would almost impossible to secure.

J

Very well said so if this family wants a civil suit it does not look like they can even get that, however as we all know this family does not deserve anything.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I'm very glad no charges were filed, but I'm sure that they will still try to file a civil law suit. I hope no lawyer will take it, but I did read on another message board that they already contacted a lawyer from FL. We'll have to wait and see what happens...but as far as I'm concerned, the family should be banned from WDW AND have to pay back wages for Tigger!

It'd be nice if no lawyer would take it, but sadly, I'm sure the will be plenty to choose from.

The whole thing is SO ridiculous! But I'm sure all some people see is $$$$$