Tequila Countersued By Merriman

TILA TEQUILA’s ex-boyfriend, American footballer SHAWNE MERRIMAN, is countersuing the reality TV star, accusing her of spreading lies about domestic abuse to damage his reputation and ruin his career.

The San Diego Chargers star was arrested on suspicion of battery and false imprisonment in September (09) after Tequila called the cops to the athlete’s California home claiming she had been choked and was being prevented from leaving the property.

Merriman denied the allegations, insisting he only stopped Tequila from exiting the house because she was “inebriated” and he didn’t want her to travel alone.

He was freed without charge but Tequila - real name Tila Nguyen - filed suit against the sports star last month (Nov09) accusing her ex of assault, battery, false imprisonment and emotional distress.

The suit also included photo evidence of bruises Tequila claimed were inflicted by Merriman during the incident.

But Merriman is fighting back and filed his own lawsuit against Tequila in a U.S. District Court this week (begs07Dec09), claiming the TV star posted untruths on her website about his reported violent behaviour and alleged involvement in drugs and sex with minors, reports TMZ.com.

He is suing for intentional interference with contract and unfair competition after he lost out on a T-shirt venture shortly after his arrest scandal, as well as trademark infringement, amid claims Tequila used his Lights Out logo on her webpage.

Bisexual Tequila appears to have moved on from the relationship after recently announcing in a bizarre online video that she’s engaged to marry her socialite girlfriend Casey Johnson.