A Canadian international pop star is one of several being sued by a Toronto man in connection to an alleged assault outside an entertainment venue. Only this time, it's Drake, not Justin Bieber.
Akiel Catwell is suing Drake and Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka Flame (born Juaquin Malphurs) among many others in a $4.8-million lawsuit, the Globe and Mail reports. Catwell claims he was beaten by three bodyguards used by Waka Flocka Flame after the musician posed for a photograph outside a Toronto club in August, 2012. The alleged assault took place at the Muzik nightclub as part of the "OVOFest Afterparty featuring Drake."
Catwell alleges the incident started when he and his girlfriend were walking outside the venue looking for a cab around 2:15 a.m when they saw Malphurs near a black SUV. After posing for a photo with the rapper, three bodyguards allegedly pushed, punched and then kicked Catwell until he lost consciousness. Catwell claims he suffered lacerations to his arms, legs and face, three broken or chipped teeth and a concussion from the incident. His allegations have yet to be proven in court.
The club, Drake and OVO Inc. are all named as defendants as Catwell was in Muzik's VIP area during the event. "The defendants, either individually or collectively, knew or ought to have known that this afterparty would cause or foster an environment of unusual danger to the patrons of Muzik nightclub, knowing that Muzik nightclub has a history of violence," documents filed in Ontario Superior Court read.
Catwell's statement of claim — filed earlier in 2014 — says Drake is "personally liable" having hosted the event while OVO and the venue had a duty to "ensure there would be no harm to its patrons" that evening. Statements of defence on behalf of OVO, Drake and by the venue deny any liability for Catwell's injuries.
David Young, who is representing Drake, says the musician wasn't responsible for security at Muzik nor security around the location where the alleged assault took place, according to CityNews. Drake's statement of defence states Catwell's damages claimed are "grossly excessive."
Malphurs was served with notice of the lawsuit but hasn't filed a statement of defence nor commented on the lawsuit.
Akiel Catwell is suing Drake and Atlanta rapper Waka Flocka Flame (born Juaquin Malphurs) among many others in a $4.8-million lawsuit, the Globe and Mail reports. Catwell claims he was beaten by three bodyguards used by Waka Flocka Flame after the musician posed for a photograph outside a Toronto club in August, 2012. The alleged assault took place at the Muzik nightclub as part of the "OVOFest Afterparty featuring Drake."
Catwell alleges the incident started when he and his girlfriend were walking outside the venue looking for a cab around 2:15 a.m when they saw Malphurs near a black SUV. After posing for a photo with the rapper, three bodyguards allegedly pushed, punched and then kicked Catwell until he lost consciousness. Catwell claims he suffered lacerations to his arms, legs and face, three broken or chipped teeth and a concussion from the incident. His allegations have yet to be proven in court.
The club, Drake and OVO Inc. are all named as defendants as Catwell was in Muzik's VIP area during the event. "The defendants, either individually or collectively, knew or ought to have known that this afterparty would cause or foster an environment of unusual danger to the patrons of Muzik nightclub, knowing that Muzik nightclub has a history of violence," documents filed in Ontario Superior Court read.
Catwell's statement of claim — filed earlier in 2014 — says Drake is "personally liable" having hosted the event while OVO and the venue had a duty to "ensure there would be no harm to its patrons" that evening. Statements of defence on behalf of OVO, Drake and by the venue deny any liability for Catwell's injuries.
David Young, who is representing Drake, says the musician wasn't responsible for security at Muzik nor security around the location where the alleged assault took place, according to CityNews. Drake's statement of defence states Catwell's damages claimed are "grossly excessive."
Malphurs was served with notice of the lawsuit but hasn't filed a statement of defence nor commented on the lawsuit.