Bodyguard Lawsuit Against Justin Bieber

News Release

Former Body Guard Files Assault and Battery, Failure to Pay Wage Lawsuit Against Justin Bieber

Los Angeles (January 10, 2012) –The Los Angeles plaintiffs’ firm Heimanson & Wolf LLP, filed a lawsuit today against Justin Bieber and BT Touring LLC on behalf of the teen pop star’s former bodyguard Moshe Benabou. The lawsuit, filed in the Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles, alleges that Bieber verbally and physically assaulted Benabou and that BT Touring LLC violated California Labor Code laws when the company failed to pay Benabou overtime compensation and unpaid wages.

“For nearly two years Mr. Benabou devoted himself completely to ensuring Mr. Beiber’s personal safety,” says Ilan Heimanson, Benabou’s lead attorney. “Mr. Benabou deserved, as does any employee, to be treated with respect, dignity and in accordance with the law. Unfortunately, he was not. Employers, be they Justin Beiber or Acme Corporation, hold an inherent position of power over their employees. Regrettably, the nature of that relationship invites abuse. Labor laws were written for the express purpose of protecting employees from such abuses. Through this lawsuit, Mr. Benabou simply seeks to hold his prior employer to the prevailing legal standards – full, fair and timely payment of wages and an abuse free workplace.”

Benabou was employed as Bieber’s personal bodyguard by BT Touring LLC between March of 2011 and October 10th, 2012. The complaint alleges that on October 10th, 2012 prior to a concert, Bieber verbally assaulted Benabou when the singer thought Benabou was attempting to keep a member of his entourage away from him. As a part of the verbal assault, Bieber repeatedly punched Benabou in the chest and upper body area. Benabou did not retaliate or attempt to protect himself. After the attack, Benabou walked away at which point Bieber verbally fired Benabou.

The complaint details Benabou’s 14-18 hours a day, 7 days a week work schedule. Benabou said that BT Touring LLC told him that he was a salaried employee, not entitled to overtime pay, and would report directly to Bieber.

The complaint further alleges that BT Touring LLC violated California’s Industrial Welfare Commission Orders and Labor Code when the company failed to pay Benabou overtime compensation as well as unpaid wages and vacation pay earned during his employment.

Attorneys for Benabou are seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

About Heimanson & Wolf LLP

Heimanson & Wolf, LLP helps people who have been the victims of wrongdoing pursue their legal rights. As plaintiffs’ attorneys, they challenge major corporations, global insurance companies, government entities, financial institutions and individuals who are responsible for their clients’ damages. www.hwllplaw.com.