Patti LaBelle sued over airport attack - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 06-06-2011, 11:52 PM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011...airport-attack

US cadet claims soul singer ordered bodyguards to attack him outside Houston airport for standing next to her luggage

Sean Michaels guardian.co.uk, Monday 6 June 2011 12.35 BST

Singer Patti LaBelle has been accused of ordering an attack on a man who was standing near her luggage. Twenty-three-year-old Richard King was waiting outside George HW Bush intercontinental airport in Houston, Texas when LaBelle allegedly rolled down her window and "gave a command to her bodyguards" to confront him.

King, who is a student at the US Military Academy at West Point, New York, claims he was walking outside the airport on 11 March, talking to his brother on a mobile phone. He wandered into the passenger pickup area, near LaBelle's limousine. "Apparently, defendant LaBelle believed King was standing too close to her luggage, even though he was oblivious to her presence and the danger he was in," the lawsuit states. "LaBelle lowered the window of her limousine and gave a command to her bodyguards. They sprang into action ... LaBelle is hot-tempered ... [and] was a full participant in the cruel attack on King. She ordered it, and never tried to stop it."

In a video released by King's lawyers, the young man can be seen talking with LaBelle's security. One of these men chest-bumps King, who responds with a push. Two men and one woman surround King, pushing and punching him; he falls against a concrete pillar, attempting unsuccessfully to rise before stumbling away. King was reportedly sent by ambulance to hospital; he was diagnosed with concussion. "He didn't know who Patti LaBelle was, she's not in his generation," King's lawyer told the Philadelphia Inquirer. King is now suing LaBelle, three of her entourage, a taxi dispatcher and the airport for unspecified actual and punitive damages.

According to a police report, King smelled of alcohol at the time of the incident. While his lawyer confirmed King had consumed a few drinks on his flight to Houston, he claimed he was not impaired.

Known as the "godmother of soul", Patti LaBelle, 67, has sold more than 50m records, including Lady Marmalade, and On My Own, a 1986 duet with Michael McDonald.

catlover79 · 06-06-2011, 11:55 PM

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...0bcf811066b520

(AP) – 3 hours ago

WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — The U.S. Military Academy says a cadet who is suing R&B diva Patti LaBelle over a scrape at a Houston airport has left the academy at West Point.

A West Point spokeswoman says Richard King left the academy Monday. Lt. Col. Sherri Reed cited privacy laws that prevent her from saying if his exit was related to the lawsuit or the altercation.

The academy acknowledges it investigated the March 11 incident. King says he was in his hometown airport standing near LaBelle's luggage when three of her bodyguards attacked him. In court papers, he says LaBelle thought he was standing too close to her bags.

Video shows King on the phone and a shoving match ensuing, with three people pushing and punching King. His lawyer says he suffered a concussion.

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

catlover79 · 06-06-2011, 11:57 PM

Not to make fun of the situation, but do you think the guy had a "New Attitude"?

06-06-2011, 11:52 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Patti LaBelle sued over airport attack http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011...airport-attack US cadet claims soul singer ordered bodyguards to attack him outside Houston airport for standing next to her luggage Sean Michaels guardian.co.uk, Monday 6 June 2011 12.35 BST Singer Patti LaBelle has been accused of ordering an attack on a man who was standing near her luggage. Twenty-three-year-old Richard King was waiting outside George HW Bush intercontinental airport in Houston, Texas when LaBelle allegedly rolled down her window and "gave a command to her bodyguards" to confront him. King, who is a student at the US Military Academy at West Point, New York, claims he was walking outside the airport on 11 March, talking to his brother on a mobile phone. He wandered into the passenger pickup area, near LaBelle's limousine. "Apparently, defendant LaBelle believed King was standing too close to her luggage, even though he was oblivious to her presence and the danger he was in," the lawsuit states. "LaBelle lowered the window of her limousine and gave a command to her bodyguards. They sprang into action ... LaBelle is hot-tempered ... [and] was a full participant in the cruel attack on King. She ordered it, and never tried to stop it." In a video released by King's lawyers, the young man can be seen talking with LaBelle's security. One of these men chest-bumps King, who responds with a push. Two men and one woman surround King, pushing and punching him; he falls against a concrete pillar, attempting unsuccessfully to rise before stumbling away. King was reportedly sent by ambulance to hospital; he was diagnosed with concussion. "He didn't know who Patti LaBelle was, she's not in his generation," King's lawyer told the Philadelphia Inquirer. King is now suing LaBelle, three of her entourage, a taxi dispatcher and the airport for unspecified actual and punitive damages. According to a police report, King smelled of alcohol at the time of the incident. While his lawyer confirmed King had consumed a few drinks on his flight to Houston, he claimed he was not impaired. Known as the "godmother of soul", Patti LaBelle, 67, has sold more than 50m records, including Lady Marmalade, and On My Own, a 1986 duet with Michael McDonald. Attached Images
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06-06-2011, 11:55 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	West Pointer who sued diva LaBelle leaves academy http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...0bcf811066b520 (AP) – 3 hours ago WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — The U.S. Military Academy says a cadet who is suing R&B diva Patti LaBelle over a scrape at a Houston airport has left the academy at West Point. A West Point spokeswoman says Richard King left the academy Monday. Lt. Col. Sherri Reed cited privacy laws that prevent her from saying if his exit was related to the lawsuit or the altercation. The academy acknowledges it investigated the March 11 incident. King says he was in his hometown airport standing near LaBelle's luggage when three of her bodyguards attacked him. In court papers, he says LaBelle thought he was standing too close to her bags. Video shows King on the phone and a shoving match ensuing, with three people pushing and punching King. His lawyer says he suffered a concussion. Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Attached Images

06-06-2011, 11:57 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Not to make fun of the situation, but do you think the guy had a "New Attitude"?