Levi Johnston says that he might pursue legal action against the Alaska governor's family. Levi: The Palins 'blew us off'

The father of Sarah Palin's grandchild said Wednesday night that he might pursue legal action against the Alaska governor's family, who he says has cut off communication with him and is no longer letting him see his son, Tripp.

Levi Johnston said during an interview on CNN's "Larry King Live" that he has hired an attorney in hopes of compelling former fiancée Bristol Palin to honor his visitation rights.


Johnston last saw his 4-month-old son "a couple weeks ago," he said, adding that going over to the Palin household to see Tripp is "an uncomfortable thing."

Despite his threat of legal action, Johnston insists that he does not "want to stir anything up."

“We're not in a big fight with the Palins," he said. "I still like the family very much and think we can work things out.”

Palin spokeswoman Meg Stapleton issued a statement ahead of the interview, saying that "Bristol is focused on going to college, raising Tripp and advocating abstinence."

The teenage father acknowledged his relations with the Palin family were rocky following Tripp's birth but said that things really turned south after his appearance on the "Tyra Banks Show."

“My dad talks to Todd [Palin, Sarah Palin's husband,] a lot,” he said, “and after I did that first interview with Tyra, he now just doesn’t call. They blew us off.”

Stapleton knocked Johnston over the Banks appearance, releasing a statement saying the Palin family was "disappointed that Levi and his family, in a quest for fame, attention and fortune, are engaging in flat-out lies, gross exaggeration and even distortion of their relationship."

"It is unfortunate that Levi finds it more appealing to exploit his previous relationship with Bristol than to contribute to the well-being of the child," she added.

On Wednesday, Johnston disputed Stapleton's charge that his decision to speak about his past relationship is motivated by desires of fame.

“I didn’t ask to be thrown into this. I’m not out there looking for fame. I just want to get my story out there,” he said. “I haven’t made no money yet.”

Johnston told King that he agreed with Bristol's assessment that abstinence is "unrealistic" but resisted the host's attempts to learn more about the circumstances that led to the pregnancy. Asked if Tripp was conceived in the Palin house, Johnston replied: “You know, Larry, I’m a gentleman.”