S. Samuel
Controversial rapper/producer Kanye West and his security have reportedly been accused of attacking a photographer at a 2008 New York City G-Shock party.
Details on the allegations landed online Wednesday (January 5) afternoon.
In papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Michael Vazquez says the incident happened almost three years ago, when the “Gold Digger” rapper performed at Guastavino’s on the East Side. Vazquez was there “as an invitee to film, photograph and report” on the May 14, 2008 event, a party to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Casio’s G-Shock watch, the suit says. At some point that night, West, “his agents, servants and/or employees acting in the course and within the scope of their employment, detained and/or threatened and/or caused plaintiff to suffer injuries,” the suit says. “The assault and battery was committed by defendant, Kanye West, [his] agents, servants and/or employees, with malice” and caused Vazquez, 44, “physical, mental and emotional illness,” the suit says. (New York Post)
The victim did not initially name West in his police report following the 2008 event.
Police sources said Vazquez did file a police report the day after the incident, claiming that his camera and cell phone were taken by either restaurant or West’s security, and that he had suffered a dislocated shoulder and cuts to his face while scuffling with them. It’s unclear whether anything ever became of the complaint, but West was not named as one of the attackers in the police report. (New York Post)
Months later, West made headlines for destroying another photographer’s camera at Los Angeles International Airport, a crime he was eventually punished for.
The rapper has been charged with three misdemeanor counts of vandalism, grand theft and battery stemming from a scuffle with a paparazzo at LAX in September 2008. Kanye’s manager Don Crawley was also charged with two counts each of vandalism, grand theft and battery. If convicted of all charges, West could face up to two years and six months in jail, while Crawley could face up to five years. (Extra TV)
Last January, the rapper completed his court-ordered community service hours.
Kanye West wasn’t just doing his good deed for the day when he performed community service for international aid agency, The Red Cross -he was also working toward getting assault charges against him dismissed. A judge agreed to dismiss the charges if West and [manager Don] Crowley each performed 50-hours of community service and attended anger management classes. Kanye’s lawyer, Blair Burke, along with Crowley’s lawyer, Shawn Chapman Holley presented evidence at an Los Angeles court Friday that their clients had fulfilled their duties by working for The Red Cross, causing the charges to be dismissed. (Radar Online)
Check out some recent Kanye West footage down below:
