Lawyers for the recently rehabbed David Duchovny have filed a lawsuit against Britain’s Daily Mail, claiming a story about his alleged affair with his tennis instructor was defamatory.

“By its intentional and reckless conduct, Daily Mail has caused substantial harm to Duchovny, in complete disregard of the truth and of even a semblance of journalistic integrity,” the suit states.

The story—published Oct. 18 and accompanied by the salacious headline “‘An affair? I’m not going to deny it’: Tennis coach tells of her close friendship with ’sex addict’ David Duchovny as he splits from wife”—stated that the 48-year-old actor had “a full-blown sexual affair” with 28-year-old tennis pro Edith Pakay, that their professional relationship “quickly turned into a love match.”

The tennis instructor later denied that any affair took place.

But is the Daily Mail really the one at fault for Duchovny’s trashed reputation? That story didn’t come out until October 18, but back in August he himself admitted he’s a total sex fiend right before seeking treatment for sex addiction. His wife is divorcing him over the whole embarrassment, so regardless of who his partner was, the smart money is on at least one affair somewhere along the line.

I just doubt this one story caused more “substantial harm” than his own admissions did. Seems more like a cash grab from a washed-up actor to me.