The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and its former publicist Michael Russell have ended at least one portion of their on-going legal wars. The parties came to a settlement last week in Russell’s $2 million breach of contract and fraud suit against the HFPA. The agreement was reached in a conference in La Superior Court on February 11. No details of the deal were disclosed nor whether it also ended the HFPA’s own suit against Russell and his partner Stephen Locascio for violating a confidentiality agreement with the Golden Globes presenting organization. Russell sued the HFPA in January 2011 just days before that year’s Globes after the group did not renew his contract. Russell alleged in his suit that the HFPA “abuse their positions and engage in unethical and potentially unlawful deals and arrangements which amount to a payola scheme.” Russell says he was fired in March 2010 after bringing up the...
- 2/19/2013
- by DOMINIC PATTEN
- Deadline TV
The group behind the Golden Globes is blasting back at their former publicist charging his lawsuit filed three days before this year’s telecast was part of a “campaign to hold the (Hollywood Foreign Press Association) and (its president Philip) Berk up to ridicule.”
The HFPA filed a counter lawsuit Monday against The Michael Russell Group that says Russell and his associate Stephen Locascio, and others, breached their contract to publicize the Golden Globes and the group by violating a confidentiality clause and committed fraud by making unsubstantiated allegations, including the charge that the HFPA accepted “payola.” The counter-suit also details why the HFPA did not renew Russell’s contract as their publicist after 17 years. It says that allegations came to the attention of the HFPA and its board that Russell was involved with the group Stars for a Cause, which the suit says was the subject of a number...
The HFPA filed a counter lawsuit Monday against The Michael Russell Group that says Russell and his associate Stephen Locascio, and others, breached their contract to publicize the Golden Globes and the group by violating a confidentiality clause and committed fraud by making unsubstantiated allegations, including the charge that the HFPA accepted “payola.” The counter-suit also details why the HFPA did not renew Russell’s contract as their publicist after 17 years. It says that allegations came to the attention of the HFPA and its board that Russell was involved with the group Stars for a Cause, which the suit says was the subject of a number...
Two former publicists for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) sued the organisation just days before Sunday's Golden Globes ceremony amid allegations of vote buying.
On Thursday, Michael Russell and Stephen Locascio filed a lawsuit against the association behind the annual prizegiving, alleging officials at the HFPA engaged in "despicable conduct" during their 17-year relationship with the awards show.
The allegations stated in the lawsuit include taking 'kickbacks', selling red carpet space and media access at a profit and receiving payment from studios to lobby voters.
The Superior Court complaint, obtained by CourthouseNews.com reads and published in the New York Post, reads, "Russell and Locascio were aware that many HFPA members abuse their positions and engage in unethical and potentially unlawful deals and arrangements... allowing its members to improperly profit from their association with HFPA and the Golden Globes.
"These deals and arrangements include, but are not limited to: accepting money/per diem, lavish vacations, junket lodging, gifts and other perks each year provided by studios and producers in exchange for support or votes in nominating or awarding a particular film, selling media credentials for profit in the form of space on the red carpet, to low profile or unknown 'media' entities, to cover the Golden Globes, and selling tickets and other membership privileges for the show."
Russell and Locascio, whose contracts were not renewed in February, 2010, are suing for punitive damages for fraud, defamation, wrongful termination, breach of contract, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, failure to pay wages and other charges.
Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais poked fun at the ongoing legal wrangle between the HFPA members and their former publicists during Sunday night's show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
He jibed, "The Golden Globes is a celebration of the best in TV and movies over the last year voted for by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. It was a big year for 3D movies: Toy Story, Despicable Me, Tron, seems like everything this year was three dimensional, except the characters in The Tourist... I'm jumping on the bandwagon because I haven't even seen The Tourist.
"It must be good because it's nominated so shut up, Ok. And I'd like to quash this ridiculous rumour going round that the only reason The Tourist was nominated was so that the Hollywood Foreign Press could hang out with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. That is rubbish. That is not the only reason. They also accepted bribes."...
On Thursday, Michael Russell and Stephen Locascio filed a lawsuit against the association behind the annual prizegiving, alleging officials at the HFPA engaged in "despicable conduct" during their 17-year relationship with the awards show.
The allegations stated in the lawsuit include taking 'kickbacks', selling red carpet space and media access at a profit and receiving payment from studios to lobby voters.
The Superior Court complaint, obtained by CourthouseNews.com reads and published in the New York Post, reads, "Russell and Locascio were aware that many HFPA members abuse their positions and engage in unethical and potentially unlawful deals and arrangements... allowing its members to improperly profit from their association with HFPA and the Golden Globes.
"These deals and arrangements include, but are not limited to: accepting money/per diem, lavish vacations, junket lodging, gifts and other perks each year provided by studios and producers in exchange for support or votes in nominating or awarding a particular film, selling media credentials for profit in the form of space on the red carpet, to low profile or unknown 'media' entities, to cover the Golden Globes, and selling tickets and other membership privileges for the show."
Russell and Locascio, whose contracts were not renewed in February, 2010, are suing for punitive damages for fraud, defamation, wrongful termination, breach of contract, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, failure to pay wages and other charges.
Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais poked fun at the ongoing legal wrangle between the HFPA members and their former publicists during Sunday night's show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
He jibed, "The Golden Globes is a celebration of the best in TV and movies over the last year voted for by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. It was a big year for 3D movies: Toy Story, Despicable Me, Tron, seems like everything this year was three dimensional, except the characters in The Tourist... I'm jumping on the bandwagon because I haven't even seen The Tourist.
"It must be good because it's nominated so shut up, Ok. And I'd like to quash this ridiculous rumour going round that the only reason The Tourist was nominated was so that the Hollywood Foreign Press could hang out with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. That is rubbish. That is not the only reason. They also accepted bribes."...
- 1/17/2011
- WENN
The Golden Globes’ lead publicist for 17 years is suing the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for $2 million, claiming breach of contract and wrongful termination, among other charges. In Michael Russell’s complaint, he accuses the organization of “payola schemes” that included accepting bribes in exchange for recognizing particular films, and that its red-carpet access is for sale to the highest bidder. Russell and his co-plaintiff, Stephen Locascio, named the H.F.P.A. and its president, Philip Berk, in their complaint, filed Thursday in the Superior Court of Los Angeles. Calls to the H.F.P.A., and NBC, which airs...
- 1/14/2011
- by Jeff Labrecque
- EW - Inside Movies
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association said Friday it will vigorously fight back against a lawsuit filed by its former publicist alleging "payola schemes."
The $2 million suit -- filed Thursday, three days before the 2011 Golden Globes -- by Cinepoint Prods. and its principals, Michael Russell and Stephen Locascio, not only claims a breach of a verbal contract to continue their services, it gets personal with Philip Berk, saying the HFPA president sought fees from NBC for himself. It further charges that "HFPA members abuse their positions and engage in unethical and potentially unlawful deals and arrangements."
A spokesperson for the HFPA said the suit twists the truth and is "a case of a disgruntled former consulting firm, whose contract was not renewed, attempting to take advantage once again of the Globes' international stage for their own gain."
Russell and Cinepoint had handled publicity for the Globes from 1993 until 2010.
The suit raises...
The $2 million suit -- filed Thursday, three days before the 2011 Golden Globes -- by Cinepoint Prods. and its principals, Michael Russell and Stephen Locascio, not only claims a breach of a verbal contract to continue their services, it gets personal with Philip Berk, saying the HFPA president sought fees from NBC for himself. It further charges that "HFPA members abuse their positions and engage in unethical and potentially unlawful deals and arrangements."
A spokesperson for the HFPA said the suit twists the truth and is "a case of a disgruntled former consulting firm, whose contract was not renewed, attempting to take advantage once again of the Globes' international stage for their own gain."
Russell and Cinepoint had handled publicity for the Globes from 1993 until 2010.
The suit raises...
- 1/14/2011
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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