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

William Morris Agency|Sues Geraldo Rivera

MANHATTAN (CN) - Geraldo Rivera hasn't paid William Morris Endeavor Entertainment its 10 percent commissions since January 2010, the agency claims in court.

William Morris sued Rivera and his loan-out company, Maravilla Productions, in New York County Supreme Court. It claims it's represented Rivera since 1985, for the standard 10 percent commission of his gross earnings.

The 3-year contracts were renewed in 1988, 1991 and 1994, and in 1997 they agreed to continue the contract "until expressly terminated by either WME or defendants," according to the lawsuit.

William Morris claims it negotiated a 4-year deal with Fox News for Rivera in 2005, and renegotiated it for another 2 years in 2009. This agreement guaranteed William Morris its 10 percent commission for any further extensions, according to the complaint.

However, "the last payment WME received from defendants was in January 2010," the lawsuit states. The agency demanded payment, and on Dec. 11, 2012, "defendants' attorney responded stating, among other things, Rivera denies any responsibility for commissions due to WME."

William Morris demands its commissions, and costs and damages for breach of contract and unjust enrichment. It is represented by Manny Joseph Caixeiro with Perkins Coie.

Rivera told the New York Daily News that he would not pay Morris "one penny, ever!" and that his contract was not with William Morris, but with its agent Jim Griffin, who left the Morris agency in 2010.

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