Minnelli out to beat bodyguard in court

Oscar-winning singer-actress Liza Minnelli filed a $250,000 (€193,800) counterclaim against a former driver and bodyguard in response to his reported allegations that she frequently beat him.

The 58-year-old Minnelli, who also has been accused by her estranged husband of assault, accuses M’Hammed Soumayah of breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty.

Her court papers filed yesterday ask for a declaratory judgment and an injunction – without elaborating on either point – and relief of “no less than $250,000 (€193,800)”.

The New York Post reported last month that Soumayah had sued Minnelli, alleging she had physically attacked him during alcohol-fuelled tirades. The Post said his lawsuit seeks “money damages arising from personal injuries”.

That lawsuit was sealed when it was filed. Justice Barbara Kapnick ordered it unsealed yesterday, but agreed to keep it sealed until Minnelli’s lawyers complete their appeals.

Minnelli’s estranged husband, David Gest, said in a statement October 4 that he wasn’t surprised by Soumayah’s lawsuit, ”as I witnessed Mr Soumayah being beaten by Ms Minnelli on many, many occasions”.

Soumayah’s lawyer, Harvey Mars, refused to comment.

Gest, who has filed a $10m (€7.8m) lawsuit alleging Minnelli’s beatings left him with extensive head injuries, has said he’ll testify in Soumayah’s case if asked.

Minnelli is suing Gest for allegedly stealing $2m (€1.6m) from her. They have sued each other for divorce.

The couple married on March 16, 2002, at a star-studded ceremony that featured Michael Jackson as best man and Elizabeth Taylor as maid of honour. They separated in July 2003.