Bullock Sues Mental Health Agency

Seeks Notification When Accused Stalker Is Released

NASHVILLE, Sept. 22, 2006 | by Amy Bonawitz

(AP)  Actress Sandra Bullock's film company is suing the state's mental health agency to ensure it notifies her attorneys when a man she accuses of stalking her is released from a mental health facility.

The lawsuit, filed Sept. 13 on behalf of California-based Fortis Films Inc., calls on the state mental health agency to comply with a California court order requiring the notification upon Thomas James Weldon's release from Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute.

The suit does not seek any monetary damages, other than asking Tennessee officials to pay any costs to comply with the order.

The lawsuit does not mention Bullock by name, but says Weldon has "a fixation on a certain employee of Fortis Films Inc." Weldon has been under court order in California to stay at least 200 feet away from Bullock since 2003, and the order has been extended until June 2009.

Weldon voluntarily entered the institute just before the restraining order was issued. He is being considered for a 90-day furlough this month, the actress' attorney, Edwin McPherson, has said.

Bullock, 42, who starred in films including "Speed" and "Miss Congeniality," has said in court documents that Weldon followed her from Michigan to Texas to California, sent her e-mails and faxes and left voice mail messages.

Jill Hudson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, said Thursday that she couldn't discuss patient information because of confidentiality laws. She said she had not seen the lawsuit and could not immediately comment on it.

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