Hollywood Foreign Press head at center of fraud allegations

That's quite a lawsuit filed by a former Golden Globes publicist, aimed squarely at Philip Berk, president of the Hollywood Foreign Press (and Freeloaders) Association. Nothing captures the insanity of Hollywood quite like the annual Golden Globes show, where winners are determined not by peers or even critics, but by a rag-tag collection of little-known foreign scribes. From the Wrap:

The lawsuit, filed by Michael Russell, validates criticisms that have dogged the HFPA for years -- that Berk has repeatedly rebuffed attempts to open up the membership to a wider number of people, and to halt corrupt practices. It states that Berk would not do so because it would endanger his own perks as an HFPA member. "Berk refused to do so, because he and the HFPA were profiting from the existing arrangements," the lawsuit states. The lawsuit also alleges general corruption and fraudulent practices by the HFPA as a whole, saying that the group can be bribed by studios and networks for nominations, takes money to lobby others and sells media credentials to the ceremony and red carpet.

Citing sources, the Wrap story points out that Russell himself has been under an ethical cloud for taking a hefty commission from a $100,000 charitable donation. Berk and the HFPA deny the allegations, describing Russell as a disgruntled former consultant "attempting to take advantage once again of the Globe's international stage." Here's the lawsuit.