Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, a popular YouTuber and Kick streamer, is facing a 17-count lawsuit in California over his controversial “Catching Predators” series. The lawsuit, filed by t, alleges that Vitaly and his crew wrongfully accused him of being a predator and subjected him to “physical and mental abuse” during an attack.
According to the lawsuit, shared by Attorney Jason Morrin, Prieto Jr. claims he was engaging in consensual adult communication on a website when he was entrapped by Vitaly’s team. The lawsuit alleges that Vitaly’s crew chanted “certified loverboy” and “certified pedophile” at Prieto Jr., accusing him of trying to meet a 15-year-old boy.
Prieto Jr. further alleges that Vitaly edited a TikTok video of the encounter to maximize public outrage and destroy his reputation. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for the alleged abuse and defamation.
Vitaly’s “Catching Predators” series, inspired by Chris Hansen’s famous “To Catch a Predator” series, aimed to catch and expose individuals allegedly attempting to engage in activities with minors. While the series proved to be a massive success, garnering over 1 billion impressions during its first season, it has now landed Vitaly in legal trouble.
Despite the lawsuit, Vitaly remains enthusiastic about the future of his controversial series. On May 23, he revealed that the first season had resulted in the exposure and arrest of 33 individuals, with more prosecutions pending. He expressed his excitement for a second season, thanking Kick for providing him with a platform.
However, the impact of this lawsuit on future seasons remains uncertain. As the legal battle unfolds, Vitaly and his team may face scrutiny over their methods and the potential for entrapment or other legal issues.
