The Courthouse News Service from Los Angeles has reported that an attorney and an agent that represent SpongeBob Squarepants artist, T.W., are defending themselves in a personal injury lawsuit.
M.H., has filed the $5.5 million lawsuit for an assault that allegedly occurred at approximately 6 p.m. on August 2, 2011 at an art gallery that she owns. The Gallery HB houses several exhibits by T.W.
The suit states that T.W. "in a thankless fit of greed" hired four men to meet M.H. at her gallery, pretend to be interested in purchasing T.W.'s art, and then proceeded to assault and rob her.
Allegedly T.W.'s goal was to retain possession of his collection.
In her complaint, made to the Superior Court, M.H. alleged, "Despite (T.W.'s) string of professional successes ... his true nature was revealed on the night of August 2, 2011, when he orchestrated a malicious and brutal assault and robbery against the very woman who helped him launch his career in studio art."
The two men, attorney K.D. and "martial arts sparring partner" and agent, B.E., met her with two other martial arts experts. The complaint states, "The other men were 'hired muscles,' martial arts experts retained by (T.W.) or his representatives, whose purpose was to physically assault and intimidate (M.H.)."
Per the suit the names of the two other men "will be ascertained through discovery and a review of hotel security videos."
In her statement M.H, claims, "These defendants, acting on (T.W.'s) behalf, entered the Gallery while (M.H.) was alone. They forcibly shut down the Gallery, physically assaulted (M.H.), emotionally traumatized her, and wrongfully and unlawfully imprisoned her in her office for long hours by force. They threatened her with severe physical harm if she did not comply with their demands."
She further contended, "Over the course of the night, the intruders forcibly stole more than one million dollars' worth of (T.W.) art that belonged to the Gallery and FACS (plaintiff Fine Art Consulting Services, which (M.H.) owns). Additionally, (B.E.), (K.D.), and the unknown assailants forcibly stole large quantities of original business documents from the gallery, including certificates of authenticity, customer lists, and sales and inventory records."
M.H. stated that the confidential list of her clients was stolen in what she believes is T.W.'s attempt to bypass her in selling his work.
Another defendant named in the lawsuit, P.M.L., is a former employee at the Gallery. M.H. alleges that he acted in a duplicitous manner by downloading and copying her client list.
He also suddenly left her employment weeks before the assault.
The complaint further alleges that P.M.L. is now under the employment of T.W.
After the assault and robbery, M.H. stated that she was forced to take them to her private residence, where they located more of T.W.'s artwork and removed the pieces by force.
One final threat was made per M.H.: "Before leaving (M.H.) at approximately 3:30 a.m. on the morning of August 3, defendants, including (K.D and B.E.), informed (M.H.) that (T.W.) was 'taking over' the Gallery and that she had until August 16 to vacate the premises. They instructed her that if she failed to comply, or if she reported the night's events to the police, she and her family would be physically harmed and that 'her life as she knew it would be over.'
Later on August 3, (T.W.) or one of his agents faxed a letter purporting to be from (M.H.) to the Hyatt Regency, stating that (M.H.) would be abandoning her lease, vacating the premises on or about August 16, 2011, and assigning the Gallery to (T.W.) or one of his representative. (M.H.) never authorized such letter, and signed it only out of fear for her life."
On August 3 M.H. reported the crime to Huntington Beach Police and sought medical care for her injuries and "emotional distress."
M.H. is asking for a minimum of $5.5 million for compensatory and punitive damages.
Have you been victimized by theft or threat? Contact a personal injury lawyer today for help!