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Friday, March 29, 2024 | Back issues
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Photog Sues Justin Bieber|and Bodyguard for Assault

LOS ANGELES (CN) - A photographer sued Justin Bieber and his bodyguard Wednesday, claiming the bodyguard assaulted him at a beach in Hawaii late last year, on Bieber's orders.

Aja Oxman sued Bieber, 20, and Dwayne Patterson in Superior Court, alleging assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.

Oxman says he and other photographers were taking photos of Bieber as the singer jumped from a cliff into the sea at the Shipwreck Beach in Kauai on Nov. 20, 2013.

According to the lawsuit, Bieber ordered Patterson to get Oxman's memory card, telling the bodyguard to do "'whatever you have to do to get that card.'"

"Defendant Patterson approached plaintiff Oxman, physically grabbed plaintiff Oxman in a choke-hold and lifted him into the air by his neck. Defendant Patterson then slammed plaintiff Oxman down onto a parked vehicle," the 9-page lawsuit states.

Bieber "encouraged and enjoyed" the beating, Oxman claims.

He says that when another photographer tried to video the incident on his phone Patterson stopped, laughed and said: "'You think I'm that stupid to get caught by one of your little phone cameras?'

"At that point, defendants Patterson and Bieber destroyed plaintiff Oxman's expensive camera, took his keys and memory card and walked away," the lawsuit states.

Oxman claims that Patterson was charged and convicted for the attack.

The Daily Mail reported that Patterson was charged with third-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal property damage, and was released on $3,000 bail.

Oxman claims he suffered "severe injuries to his body, including, without limitation, his head, face, and extremities, as well as severe emotional distress and anxiety."

He seeks punitive damages and costs.

He is represented by Sark Ohanian, with Carpenter, Zuckerman & Rowley, of Beverly Hills.

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