Lawsuit
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Tiger Woods is currently facing some legal troubles after his ex-girlfriend filed a lawsuit citing that she was forced outside of his home. Erica Herman is suing the legendary golfer for $30 million in damages and wants the case to be played out publicly despite signing an NDA.
PEOPLE reports that Tiger Woods, 47, and Erica Herman, 39, began dating in 2017. Herman reportedly worked as a general manager of Woods’ The Woods Jupiter restaurant in Jupiter, Fla. PEOPLE adds in its reporting that Herman is filing the lawsuit over being ousted from Wodds’ home. The lawsuit named Jupiter Island Irrevocable Homestead Trust as a defendant and Herman is asking that her NDA agreement be struck down citing a law that claims they can be voided in cases of sexual assault.
The trust requested that Herman’s lawsuit be heard in front of an arbitrator. According to Herman, she claims to have had a verbal agreement with Woods to stay in his home that she shares with his two children for another five years. Further, Herman claims she was swindled out of $40,000 in cash.
In a Sports Illustrated report, Herman claims she was misled to leave the home only to return to find that she was locked out permanently. The couple resided in the home for six years and Herman contends she was owed another five years of living in the Woods’ Hobe Sound mansion.
Tiger Woods has yet to make a public comment about the matter.
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The president and co-founder of PodcastOne, Chris “Kit” Gray, is facing a lawsuit filed by his former executive assistant, who says she was fired after refusing to ship cannabis products legally purchased in California to his home in Florida where cannabis is illegal. PodcastOne is also named as a defendant in the complaint.
Cherri Bell, an executive assistant with more than 20 years of experience including seven years at PodcastOne — which was purchased by media company LiveOne in 2020 — alleges that she was terminated on Feb. 10 in retaliation for refusing two requests by Gray to ship cannabis vape pens, gummies and other THC products across state lines through FedEx.
The suit, filed by Bell’s attorney Timothy McCaffrey Jr. in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday (Feb. 24), claims that after relocating his residence from California to Florida “in or around November 2021,” Gray “began planning trips to the Los Angeles area beginning in January 2022” and, following each of those visits, asked Bell “to ship various items to his home in Florida in random boxes that she was instructed to collect from around the office” using the company’s FedEx account.
“On or around” Oct. 18, 2022, the suit continues, Gray sent Bell a text message requesting that she ship some clothing to his family in Florida along with another package he left at the office. “In this text he also thanked her and mentioned again that he did not want to take the contents [of the package] on the plane and that he was nervous keeping it at the office,” the complaint reads. Inside the package, Bell claims she found “smoking paraphernalia from a marijuana dispensary including vape pens and vials” and subsequently decided not to ship the items after determining it was illegal to send drugs and drug paraphernalia across state lines.
Bell was right: While marijuana possession is legal in a number of states, possession and transportation are barred at the federal level under the Controlled Substances Act. Using FedEx as a drug courier to ship more than 50 grams of cannabis can land a person in federal prison for five years.
When Gray allegedly asked about the package weeks later, Bell says she responded via text that she did not feel comfortable sending the envelope. Gray then allegedly responded, “‘Oh I wouldn’t sweat that,’ completely dismissive of Plaintiff’s concern even though he had admitted to Plaintiff that he was nervous about carrying the package and leaving it at the office,” the complaint reads. Gray also allegedly told Bell he wished she would have told him earlier, “since apparently his supply was running low,” and that he had shipped “similar items approximately ten times in the past.”
Two days later, Gray allegedly asked Bell to drop off the package, along with a few bags of “gummy bears,” with another female employee, who would take care of the shipment. Following this incident, Bell claims she “noticed a definite change in her working relationship with Gray and the way he treated her,” according to the complaint.
The lawsuit alleges that Gray began to retaliate against Bell in the days and weeks that followed, including by delaying repayment of her expense report, giving her negative performance reviews and attempting to isolate her from the rest of the staff. While Bell was on medical leave for work-induced stress, it continues, Gray terminated her.
Bell is suing Gray and PodcastOne for illegal retaliation, wrongful termination and failure to pay wages upon termination.
Billboard made multiple attempts to reach Gray and PodcastOne/LiveOne officials but did not receive a response.
A woman criminally charged over the theft of Lady Gaga’s French bulldogs is now suing the superstar, demanding that Gaga pay her a $500,000 “no questions asked” reward that the singer allegedly offered for the return of the dogs.
The lawsuit was filed by Jennifer McBride, who pleaded no contest in December to receiving stolen property in connection with the violent incident, in which Gaga’s dog walker Ryan Fischer was shot and nearly killed.
In a complaint filed Friday (Feb. 24) in Los Angeles court, McBride’s attorney argued that Gaga made a binding “unilateral” offer to pay the reward in return for the safe return of the dogs — and that McBride had taken her up on the proposal.
“Plaintiff accepted defendants’ unilateral offer by contacting defendants, and delivering Lady Gaga’s bulldogs to defendants at the Los Angeles Police Department,” McBride’s lawyer K.T. Tran wrote in the lawsuit. “Plaintiff has fully performed her obligation under the unilateral contract.”
A rep for Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, did not immediately return a request for comment on Monday.
McBride is one of five people charged over the Feb. 24, 2021 gunpoint dognapping of Gaga’s bulldogs, Koji and Gustav. Prosecutors say the singer was not specifically targeted, and that the group was merely trying to steal French bulldogs, which can be worth thousands of dollars.
McBride returned the dogs to police days later, claiming she’d found the animals tied to a pole and asking about the reward. While police initially told the media that McBride appeared to be “uninvolved and unassociated” with the crime, she was later connected to the thieves and charged with one count of receiving stolen property and one count of being an accessory after the fact. In December, she pleaded no contest to the property charge and was sentenced to two years of probation.
James Howard Jackson, the man who shot Fischer during the robbery, took a plea deal in December and was sentenced to 21 years in prison.
In her lawsuit on Friday, McBride accused Gaga not only of breaching an agreement but also of defrauding her with the claim of a “no questions asked” reward.
“The truth was that defendants intended to have its agents and/or law enforcement to ask questions of Plaintiff regarding the circumstances surrounding Plaintiff’s return of Lady Gaga’s French bulldogs,” her lawyer wrote. “The truth was that Defendants never intended to pay the reward money to Plaintiff.
McBride is seeking the $500,000 reward and another $1.5 million in damages.
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Let this be yet another reminder that 50 Cent does not play about his brand. The Shade Room has reached a settlement with him regarding some false penis enhancement claims.
As per Complex the Queens, New York native got the celebrity gossip outlet to put some respect on his name. Back in February 2020 the “I Get Money” MC took a photograph with plastic surgeon Angela Kogan at what seems to be her private practice. The doctor posted the picture on her personal account and Perfection Plastic Surgery MedSpa’s handle promoting their penis enhancement services.
Things got even more spicy for the G-Unit Records CEO when The Shade Room did a story with Kogan on the rise of these surgeries while using the photo of 50 Cent. “More men are getting surgery (down there) than ever before, and BBLs are fading away” the article stated. “The CEO of the leading med spa for celebrities in South Florida dishes on the latest trends surgery trends”. Curtis said Kogan knew he never got a procedure there and used the photograph under false pretenses to promote her services. In turn he filed a lawsuit against her, the MedSpa and The Shade Room.
The trial was set to start July 3 but Los Angeles Magazine journalist Meghann Cuniff has reported that the matter has been settled out of court. Cuniff shared the notice of the settlement in a post to Twitter. “Hereby gives notice that he has reached an agreement to settle with Defendant The Shade Room, LLC. d/b/a The Shade Room (“TSR”) in the above-captioned action. Jackson and TSR are in the process of executing their prospective obligations pursuant to the agreement and will file a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal with Prejudice of Defendant The Shade Room, LLC shortly thereafter” the document read.
Neither 50 Cent or The Shade Room have yet commented on the matter.
Photo: Bernard Smalls
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The family of Malcolm X announced on Tuesday (Feb. 21) intentions to file a $100 million lawsuit against the FBI, CIA, and NYPD for conspiring to kill the great civil rights leader. Filed under the guidance of civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, the lawsuit was announced on the very day that Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965.
ABC7 reports that members of the family of Malcolm X gathered at the Shabazz Educational Center, which was formerly the Audobon Ballroom where the leader was shot and killed. Flanked by the family, Crump stated their intentions on gaining justice for their fallen loved one.
“Many things that will be put forth in our lawsuit that speaks to this factual evidence,” Crump said at a press conference held at the center. “We believe that now it could be substantiated based on the recent exonerations of those who were wrongfully convicted.
Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam, two of the trio convicted in the death of Malcolm X, were exonerated of their crimes in 2021 after years of imprisonment. It was later revealed by former Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance that an investigation headed by Vance and the attorneys for Aziz and Islam uncovered facts that the FBI and NYPD withheld evidence that would have cleared their clients of any wrongdoing.
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It seems Drake and 21 Savage have one less thing to worry about. They have reportedly settled their legal issues with Vogue Magazine.
As spotted on Complex, the rapper duo have come to terms with the fashion publication. In 2022 the two took the promotional efforts of their collaborative album Her Loss into their own hands. Along with a fake Howard Stern Show interview and a mock Tiny Desk performance, Drake and 21 Savage also photoshopped themselves onto a Vogue Magazine cover. Naturally, the stunt landed on Condé Nast’s radar prompting the conglomerate to file legal suit against the MCs.
Semafor has acquired an internal memorandum sent by Vogue’s legal counsel Will Bowes indicating that Drake and 21 Savage have settled.
“As a creative company, we of course understand our brands may from time to time be referenced in other creative works,” Bowes said. “In this instance, however, it was clear to us that Drake and 21 Savage leveraged Vogue’s reputation for their own commercial purposes and, in the process, confused audiences who trust Vogue as the authoritative voice on fashion and culture.”
Details on the settlement agreement have not been disclosed. Neither rapper has commented on the matter.
Photo: Prince Williams / Getty
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The team at Ralph Lauren has some explaining to do. George Gervin is suing the brand over unauthorized use of his likeness.
As spotted on Nice Kicks the basketball legend has filed a lawsuit against the apparel and home goods company. According to Bloomberg Law he is seeking compensation over what deems to be a clear and cut case of exploitation of his likeness. The Polo Ralph Lauren marque is selling a sneaker called the “Gervin Mid”. Not only does it use his name but the shoe bears a striking resemblance to the Nike’s Blazer Mid Vintage 77 sneaker which he was the first to debut in an NBA game.
According to the paperwork he was alerted about the Ralph Lauren release by a friend who saw the high-top and sent him a text congratulations. Gervin and his legal team then sent a cease and desist letter and followed up with a formal lawsuit. “I have worked hard throughout my career to build my name and reputation, and I will not allow any company to exploit it without my permission” Gervin said in a formal statement about the matter. “I am taking legal action to protect my rights and ensure that consumers are not misled”. Counsel for Ralph Lauren says that this is all a coincidence and they named their sneaker the “Gervin Mid” because it “sounded good”.
Nicknamed “the Iceman”, is an American former professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls. Gervin averaged at least 14 points per game in all 14 of his ABA and NBA seasons, and finished with an NBA career average of 26.2 points per game. In 1996, Gervin was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, and in 2021, Gervin was named as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history.
You can see a comparison of both models below.
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Nike continues to fiercely protect their trademark. The Swoosh is suing Lululemon for infringement for a second time.
As spotted on Hypebeast the Beaverton, Oregon-based brand believes the Athleisure imprint has repurposed their signature Flyknit technology for their own sneaker releases. The shoes in question include the Blissfeel, Strongfeel, Chargefeel Low and Chargefeel Low. According to Lulu’s website the Blissfeel, a runner exclusively for women, boasts that their “Comfort-focused upper moves like a supportive extension of your foot.” Nike claims its three patents at issue concern textile and other elements, including one addressing how the footwear will perform when force is applied; specifically “fabric that fits like a sock”.
A representative from Lululemon says “Nike’s claims are unjustified, and we look forward to proving our case in court” in a statement to Business Insider.
This is not the first time Nike has taken umbrage with Lulu. Back in January of 2022 they sued Lulu over their newly acquired Mirror Home Gym claiming they infringed on six Nike patents including determining a user’s exertion through sensory data and Mirror’s “Face Off” feature which allows users to compete against each other in workouts. Lululemon purchased Mirror Home Gym back in July 2020 for an estimated $435 million dollars. Recently Nike filed legal complaints against BAPE whose signature BAPESTA sneaker is a clone of the iconic Air Force 1.
Photo: Lululemon
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Yung Gravy should be enjoying the fruits of his virtual track “Betty (Get Money)” that’s all the rage on social media. However, the Rochester, Minn. rapper is facing a lawsuit from 1980s hitmaker Rick Astley for an unauthorized imitation of the British singer’s voice.
Deadline reports that Yung Gravy, 26, sampled Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” track from 1987. According to the suit, Astley, 56, approved the sample of the original but did not authorize Gravy to hire a performer to imitate his voice.
The suit was filed in Los Angeles and states that only the instrumentals to “Never Gonna Give You Up” were licensed and that Astley’s voice was a “resource that needs to be carefully managed.”
The outlet obtained the legal filing which cites Yung Gravy and producer Dillion Francis “conspired to include a deliberate and nearly indistinguishable imitation of Mr. Astley’s voice throughout the song.”
Also named in the lawsuit is Nick Seeley, better known as Popnick, who performed the vocal impersonation.
According to Astley’s filing, the impersonation upended a future collaboration with another artist who wanted to use Astley’s vocals.
Yung Gravy has not made a public response to the lawsuit.
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It is only a couple of weeks into 2023 and Flo Rida is already up big. He was awarded 82 million dollars in a lawsuit against Celsius Energy Drink.
As spotted on Complex a Florida court sided with the rapper in a breach of contract lawsuit. Back in 2014 the Mail On Sunday talent signed an endorsement deal with the beverage company with a goal to “globally market and promote all aspects of the Celsius brand.”. It seems Celsius was pleased with his performance as they renewed the contract in 2016. Things seemed to go left when the “Low” MC felt that the brand had not held their part of the bargain with regards to payment and stock options.
In 2021 he filed a lawsuit against the company seeking $30,000 in damages. His lawyer John Uustal detailed the nature of the suit in a statement to The Associated Press. “He loved the product, and it’s been a very successful four-year relationship,” Uustal stated. “There were some benchmarks. He was supposed to get stock when certain things happened. And there became a dispute about whether those benchmarks had been reached. So that’s what this was about.”
Ultimately a jury at the Broward County courtroom agreed with Flo Rida and the judge awarded him $82.6 million dollars on Wednesday, January 18. In an interview with the Law & Crime Network the rapper explained that the legal battle was about the money but principle of holding the beverage company accountable for their promises. “It’s about my passion,” he explained. “It’s about my team. It’s about my dedication. It’s about something that I started years ago and just to see it come full fledged like this–I hate for it to be this way.”
You can see Flo Rida and his team discuss the victory below.
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