Updates to our Terms of Use

We are updating our Terms of Use. Please carefully review the updated Terms before proceeding to our website.

Friday, March 29, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Promoter Claims Snoop Dogg’s|Antics in the Mideast Hurt Him

LOS ANGELES (CN) - A Lebanese businessman sued Snoop Dogg (Calvin Broadus), claiming the hip-hop star owes him money for a Middle East tour, and damaged his reputation by publishing a video showing Snoop "conspicuously smoking what he promoted as marijuana" at a Beirut bar - which is illegal in Lebanon.

Roger Kalaouz and Associates sued Broadus pka Snoop Dog, Doggy Style Music, and Doggy Style Music president Ted Chung, in Federal Court.

Kalaouz claims his company promoted Snoop Dogg's first concert in the Middle East, an Aug. 20, 2009 show at the Forum in Beirut, Lebanon. "RKA performed all of its obligations under the agreement and incurred out-of-pocket expenses in excess of $800,000 directly related to promoting and arranging the concert," the complaint states.

It continues: "In accordance with the agreement, Snoop made a personal appearance at a club in Beirut called the Sky Bar following the concert at the Forum. During his appearance at the Sky Bar, Ted Chung, president of DSM, with the approval of Snoop, personally filmed Snoop's appearance, including scenes with Snoop conspicuously smoking what he promoted as marijuana. The filming of this appearance for anything other than Snoop's personal use at the Sky Bar was a breach of the agreement (paragraph 7). The video of this appearance was then broadcast worldwide via the Internet, showing clear images of Snoop Dogg smoking marijuana, an activity which is illegal in Lebanon. Defendants published the wrongfully recorded video to promote a new song recorded by Snoop. In fact, plaintiff is informed and believes that the music video of that new release, entitled 'That's The Homie' includes the footage that was videotaped at the Sky Bar."

Kalaouz claims that as a result, "RKA's longstanding reputation as one of Lebanon's premier entertainment promoters has been severely damages. RKA has been subjected to scrutiny and accusations due to the actions of Snoop Dogg and DSM directly arising from activities to which RKA was not a party."

Kalaouz claims the defendants also refused to pay its consulting fees for a concert in Abu Dhabi.

Kalaouz seeks damages for breach of contract, fraud, concealment, conspiracy and false promise, unfair competition, and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage.

He is represented by Todd Wulffson with Carothers, DiSante & Freudenberger, of Irvine.

Categories / Uncategorized

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Loading...