Published: Wednesday - April 9, 2008
Words by Allen Starbury
Plies (Photo: Atlantic Records)
A lawsuit was filed against Florida rapper Plies on Tuesday (April 8) by give club-goers who claim they were injured during a concert at a Gainesville nightclub in 2006.
According to the Gainesville Sun, the suit was filed in the Alachua County civil courthouse Tuesday morning, seeking $10 million in damages.
The suit claims that shortly before closing time on July 2, 2006, Gainesville Police reported that members of the rapper's entourage pulled out guns and fired shots in the 238 West nightclub, during a sold-out show of an estimated 1,000 attendees. During the incident, five people were injured, those of which filed the suit.
After the incident, the rapper and four others were arrested, and accused of illegal possession of a concealed weapon.
Plies (real name: Algernod Lanier Washington) pleaded no-contest to a misdemeanor charge of possession of a concealed weapon, according to court records. He also voluntarily put $10,000 toward the medical bills of one injured person, his attorney Robert Rush said.
The plaintiffs now claim that they suffer from emotion distress ever since. Outside the courthouse on Tuesday, attorney Christopher Chestnut, explained their case.
"The smallest things like July Fourth firecrackers or a random person walking by or an unrecognized car can cause havoc and fear in a client after being shot," Chestnut said. He added that some of his clients had "lost their jobs while recovering from their injuries."
However, Plies lawyer, Robert Rush, said they are suing the wrong person. "If they're suing Mr. Washington, they're suing the wrong person. He does not have legal liability. It is not an entertainer's job to provide security for a club where the entertainer is performing."
Also named in the suit are Plies' label, Slip-N-Slide Records, and the nightclub.
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