Cathy
11-07-2007, 10:29 AM
Did David Copperfield perform a vanishing act? Foreign promoters are suing the illusionist for nearly $5 million, claiming the embattled star skipped out on a planned Asian tour once word got out that he was under investigation for sexual misconduct.
The plaintiffs – Viva Art International Ltd. of the Channel Islands and MAZ Concerts, Inc. of Ontario – say that on Oct. 18, one day after the FBI's highly publicized raid on Copperfield's warehouse, the magician backed out of the shows, either because the FBI told him not to travel abroad or because he wanted to avoid questions about the alleged assault on his private island in the Bahamas.
"After the allegations of sexual assault became public in media around the world, Copperfield had no intention of honoring his obligations ... [which] would have required him to make public appearances, answer questions from foreign authorities upon entry into their countries, and give interviews to various foreign news outlets overseas," says the 17-page lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Los Angeles.
The illusionist's spokesman did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Copperfield's attorney has vehemently denied the allegations of impropriety, which have not yet resulted in any arrest or filing of criminal charges.
According to the lawsuit, Copperfield planned 38 shows in Southeast Asia from Oct. 23 to Nov. 10, and 10 shows in Abu Dhabi from Dec. 3 to Dec. 9. When a scheduling conflict arose for Abu Dhabi, promoters claim Copperfield's camp demanded an additional $500,000 in compensation and an immediate $1.1 million payment on Oct. 18. When the promoters balked, they claim the magician summarily canceled the entire tour.
The promoters are seeking punitive damages, attorney fees, $2.3 million in deposits and other expenses, and at least $2.5 million in lost profits.
The plaintiffs – Viva Art International Ltd. of the Channel Islands and MAZ Concerts, Inc. of Ontario – say that on Oct. 18, one day after the FBI's highly publicized raid on Copperfield's warehouse, the magician backed out of the shows, either because the FBI told him not to travel abroad or because he wanted to avoid questions about the alleged assault on his private island in the Bahamas.
"After the allegations of sexual assault became public in media around the world, Copperfield had no intention of honoring his obligations ... [which] would have required him to make public appearances, answer questions from foreign authorities upon entry into their countries, and give interviews to various foreign news outlets overseas," says the 17-page lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Los Angeles.
The illusionist's spokesman did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Copperfield's attorney has vehemently denied the allegations of impropriety, which have not yet resulted in any arrest or filing of criminal charges.
According to the lawsuit, Copperfield planned 38 shows in Southeast Asia from Oct. 23 to Nov. 10, and 10 shows in Abu Dhabi from Dec. 3 to Dec. 9. When a scheduling conflict arose for Abu Dhabi, promoters claim Copperfield's camp demanded an additional $500,000 in compensation and an immediate $1.1 million payment on Oct. 18. When the promoters balked, they claim the magician summarily canceled the entire tour.
The promoters are seeking punitive damages, attorney fees, $2.3 million in deposits and other expenses, and at least $2.5 million in lost profits.