Perez Hilton Files Lawsuit Against Black Eyed Peas Manager
Perez Hilton
Perez Hilton has filed a lawsuit against the Black Eyed Peas' manager accused of assault.
The celebrity blogger, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, has sued Liborio "Polo" Molina for battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, according to the Associated Press. Hilton's suit aims to protect his right to free speech and claims that Molina attacked him over critical comments he made about the Peas' new album.
Hilton is seeking damages of more than $25,000, including medical costs and damages for "humiliation, mental anguish, and emotional and physical distress."
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"Perez Hilton was assaulted by the band's road manager because he would not agree to stop writing about the Black Eyed Peas on his Web site Perezhiton.com," Hilton's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, said in a statement. "Whether you love Perez or hate him, he is entitled to his freedom of speech without fear of physical violence. This lawsuit will make the statement that violence is never the answer."
Freedman did not immediately return a call for comment, while Hilton's rep had no comment.
Hilton's suit stems from an incident after Sunday's MuchMusic Awards in Toronto, in which he claims Peas front man will.i.am and his guards attacked him. Molina, 36, turned himself in on Monday and was charged with one count of assault. He has not commented publicly on the case, and will.i.am denies assaulting Hilton.
In the meantime, Hilton has spoken out against public reaction to the incident, saying he is "extremely bothered" that some people aren't sympathetic to his situation.
"I look forward to standing up for my rights... as I fully intend to seek every lawful remedy against the man that attacked me," Hilton said of Molina's Aug. 5 court date.
TVGuide.com's calls to will.i.am's rep and the Black Eyed Peas' record label were not immediately returned.
