Justin Timberlake Sued for Assault

Justin Timberlake was named in a lawsuit filed on Dec. 18 in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis State of Missouri by the mother of a fifteen-year-old St. Louis fan who claims that Timberlake verbally harassed and assaulted her.

The lawsuit, stems from an incident following an 'N Sync concert in St. Louis on Nov. 19, where fifteen-year-old Danielle McGuire, along with dozens of fans, waited outside the group's hotel, the Chase Park Plaza, for the group to return. According to the family's attorney, John Wallach and reports in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, all the group members except Timberlake interacted with the crowd before entering the hotel. It is alleged that Timberlake would not acknowledge the crowd on his way into the building at which point McGuire yelled out "JC is cuter, anyway!" Following her comment, a bodyguard for the group allegedly removed McGuire from the crowd, not allowing her to alert her mother, and brought her into the hotel where she was confronted by Timberlake, who backed her up against a wall and proceeded to verbally chastise her. A reporter for a local ABC affiliate and family friend, Randy Jackson, was admitted into the hotel and confirmed the allegations made by McGuire.

The suit also names as defendants the individual members of 'N Sync as a partnership, Wright Entertainment, the group's management company led by Johnnie Wright, and the hotel, Chase Park Plaza Limited Partnership and Zeeks Entertainment. McGuire's attorney said that 'N Sync, their management and the affiliated Zeeks Ent. were named as defendants because they are possible employers of Timberlake and 'N Sync's security. Jive Records was not named in the suit.

The specific allegations in the suit state that the hotel allowed Timberlake, Wright Entertainment, and Zeeks Entertainment to "take over security and control the lobby area of the Chase Park Plaza Hotel, and control members of the public located in the lobby." The suit also charges all defendants with six counts, including false imprisonment of a minor, assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The suit claims that as result of the incident McGuire suffered "fright, shock, intimidation, severe emotional distress, bodily harm, embarrassment, humiliation and distress." Her lawyer also added that she's been harassed and threatened by 'N Sync fans at her school as a result of the litigation against Timberlake.

A jury would determine damages in the suit if and when the case goes to trial. Calls to 'N Sync's label Jive Records were not returned at press time.

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

More Song Stories entries »

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