Former Subway spokesman Jared Fogle sues parents of alleged victim

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Former Subway spokesman Jared Fogle, in prison for child pornography and sex abuse, filed a lawsuit against the parents of a victim, saying they were responsible for her emotional distress.

Fogle, who was sentenced in November to nearly 16 years in prison, said the girl's parents had a "hateful and abusive relationship" which led to her "destructive behaviors, including, but not limited to alcohol abuse, substance abuse, self-mutilation and suicidal ideations." Fogle is seeking unspecified monetary damages.

The girl's parents filed a civil suit against Fogle in March. The girl's parents are not named in the lawsuit and the victim is referred to as Jane Doe in court documents.

"Jane Doe was diagnosed as suffering from a major depressive disorder before she learned of any of the allegations involving the defendants," Fogle said in legal documents. "The outrageous and reckless conduct of [Jane Doe's parents] committed over a period of several years inflicted personal injuries, emotional distress and psychological injury on Jane Doe from which she will continue to suffer."

Fogle pleaded guilty in November 2015 to possession or distribution of child pornography and to crossing state lines to have commercial sex with a minor. Fogle argues he was influenced by former business partner Russell Taylor, who was sentenced to 27 years for production and distribution of child pornography. Prosecutors said Fogle and Taylor secretly recorded a dozen children between ages 9 and 16 and shared them.