Lennon's PA exploited Beatle, claims lawyer

John Lennon’s former personal assistant exploited the ex-Beatle and his wife Yoko Ono by stealing priceless family photos and mementos, then selling them to collectors, a lawyer claimed today.

A lawsuit against the assistant, Frederic Seaman, “is about how John and Yoko put their trust in Mr Seaman’s hands, and how he betrayed that trust”, Ono’s lawyer Paul LiCalsi, said in opening statements at a Manhattan civil trial.

Ono, 69, sued Seaman, in 1999, demanding that he surrender the rights to 374 photos he took of Lennon, and turn over about 75,000 dollars in profits from the sale of the rock legend’s manuscripts and revealing letters.

The copyright case is the latest round of a two-decade feud that followed Lennon’s murder outside his Central Park West apartment building in 1980.

LiCalsi told jurors that Ono dismissed Seaman in 1981, unaware he had been looting Lennon’s files.

In 1983, Seaman pleaded guilty to second-degree larceny for stealing Lennon’s diaries. He was sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to return all the property.

“When he claimed he’d give everything back, he lied,” the lawyer said.

Seaman’s lawyer was to make his opening statement later.

Defence attorney Glenn Wolther has said his client denies any wrongdoing, including an allegation that he violated a confidentiality agreement by talking about Lennon’s personal life in print.

According to Ono, Seaman signed a confidentiality pact when he was hired in 1979 to be a “gofer” for the Lennons. His duties included caring for Sean Lennon and taking photos at family events, the lawsuit said.

Seaman has argued that he took the 374 photos on his own time and with his own camera - making him the rightful owner.