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Friday, April 19, 2024 | Back issues
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L.A. Mogul Says Guard|Swiped Family Photos

LOS ANGELES (CN) - A security guard stole thousands of childhood photos of celebrity models Gigi and Bella Hadid, including family shots with Michael Jackson, their real estate magnate father claims in court.

Mohamed Hadid sued Juan Carlos Gonzalez on Tuesday in Superior Court.

Hadid, whose estimated net worth is $100 million, describes himself in the lawsuit as "one of Los Angeles' leading real estate developers." Known for catering to California's elite, he was featured on the reality TV shows "Shahs of Sunset" and "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."

His former wife, Yolanda Foster, was a model and actress in "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills."

Their daughter Gigi Hadid, 20, began modeling at age 2 and appeared in Sports Illustrated's annual swimsuit issue in 2014.

Her sister, 19-year-old Bella Hadid, recently became famous on the fashion runway.

Mohamed Hadid, the sole plaintiff, says Gonzalez worked at his home from 2010 to 2013 and had access to his home office. He says he learned in October that Gonzalez had stolen 2,200 photos from him, including snapshots of his daughters Gigi and Bella, "which were taken when Gigi and Bella were minors."

The photos included pictures of Hadid's minor son, private parties at the Hadids' home, and family photos with the late Michael Jackson, the 5-page lawsuit states.

Hadid claims Gonzalez also pilfered "numerous business records and personal documents" from his home, "including highly confidential, non-public medical and financial information."

He says he hired a professional photographer to take "a vast majority" of the photos and that he is the copyright holder. He says he demanded the "immediate" return of the photos and documents in November, but Gonzalez "failed and refused, and continues to fail and refuse," to return them.

His connection to Jackson is not detailed in complaint. Jackson's 2,700-acre Neverland estate, now called "Sycamore Valley Ranch," was listed for $100 million in May.

Hadid himself is facing misdemeanor charges over a Bel-Air mansion. He was charged last week with three misdemeanor counts, including illegal use of land, building without a permit, and failure to obey orders to follow city code or demolish the mansion's illegally built features, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Hadid seeks an injunction, restitution and disgorgement, and punitive damages for invasion of privacy and conversion.

He is represented by Victoria Torigian, with Sabouri & Torigian, of Encino, who did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

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