Former Manager Sues Joan Rivers

Former manager of Joan Rivers, William Sammeth, has sued the comedian for $2 million, saying he was defamed in her documentary.

According to Sammath’s legal papers, Rivers said in her documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work that he had “disappeared,” when she had actually fired him.

Sammath also submitted a list of Rivers’ work for which he says he is owed 10 percent, according to BBC News .

The 77-year-old comedian responded in a statement that Sammath was “properly terminated” in 2009, and therefore, she did not owe him any money.

He continued to say in the court documents that her career was “dormant” until he became her personal manager in 2002. During his employment from 2002 to 2009, he brought her usual 12 concerts a year up to 40 concerts a year.

He also said he helped Rivers to victory in the US reality show Celerity Apprentice last year when he had paid $18,000 at a charity auction that ultimately helped her win the show.

Along with the alleged defamation in the documentary, Sammath also said Rivers had described his behavior as “erratic” in interviews.

These alleged defamations, along with commission, has spurred him to demand $200,000, while seeking another $2 million in damages.
“Billy Sammeth is now making claims for money to which he is not entitled and I am confident that the judicial system will dispose of his lawsuit in the appropriate manner,” said Rivers.

Source: BBC News