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Justin Bieber Faces Lawsuit From Former Bodyguard For Assault, Unpaid Wages
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: January 30, 2013
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Assault and Unpaid Wages Lawsuit from a Former Employee
Fans suffering from “Bieber Fever” were outraged to learn about an assault and unpaid wages lawsuit against the teen singing sensation brought on by his former bodyguard.
Moshe Benabou, who was employed as Justin Bieber’s bodyguard between March 2011 and October 2012, alleges that the “Baby” singer physically assaulted him and failed to pay him overtime and other wages. Benabou’s lawsuit alleges that a confrontation ensued in October over a disagreement about how to handle a member of Bieber’s entourage arose. During the dispute, Bieber allegedly belittled Benabou and punched him repeatedly in the chest, after which the bodyguard walked away and the “Biebs” fired him.
Benabou also noted in his lawsuit that he was falsely told he was not able to receive overtime, even though the bodyguard frequently worked 14 to 18 hours a day protecting the singer. According to the lawsuit, the former bodyguard is seeking unspecified damages on the assault and battery claims and $421,261 in unpaid overtime, vacation and other wage benefits.
A representative for Benabou said that after years of working to ensure Bieber’s “personal safety,” he deserved fair wage compensation under the law. Justin Bieber’s publicist has not yet commented on the lawsuit or whether the singer will seek to settle the matter out of court.
A number of celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez to Courtney Love, have faced lawsuits from former employees, ranging from fraud and compensation issues to assault and battery charges. Given the highly public nature of the celebrity world, it’s important that those in the limelight outline clear, ironclad contracts with all workers to avoid entertainment law disputes. Developing transparent and detailed employment contracts that outline wages, privacy agreements and other particulars can provide more clarity and help mitigate frivolous and costly legal issues.
- Industries: Entertainment & Media
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