America Magazine Editor-In-Chief Smokey Fontaine is considering suing Damon Dash, while two men have just filed a suit against Dash, claiming that he stole their concept for "BET's Ultimate Hustler."
Fontaine recently told police that Dash, publisher of America, punched him hard in the chest, causing him to fall over a chair and get injured. According to reports, Fontaine said he was recently walking in New York's SoHo neighborhood when Dash rolled by in his car and started cursing at him. Fontaine is now considering pressing charges against Dash.
Meanwhile, the former Roc-A-Fella honcho responded to Fontaine's allegations by telling New York's Daily News, "Would I be dumb enough to do something like that? I always think violence is the last means and the last resort. I never advocate violence."
In related news, John Coleman and John Rhodes, are also suing Dash, claiming they pitched "Mogul," a show with a premise similar to "Ultimate Hustler," to the CEO. The pair is seeking monetary damages from Dash, BET, the Damon Dash Music Group, Dash Films and Huck Films for breach of implied in-fact-contract and breach of confidence.
Like "Ultimate Hustler," "Mogul" pits competitors against one another in several challenges to become a prominent executive at a record label or artist management company. The plaintiffs say they registered "Mogul" with Writer's Guild of America in Los Angeles back in February 2004, and claim that Dash was interested in the idea but said it needed more development. Coleman and Rhodes agreed, but contend that Dash promised them he would keep the concept on the low.
"BET's Ultimate Hustler" takes 16 moguls-in-training and puts them through various challenges to crown the ultimate hustler. The contestants must pitch projects to work within the Dash empire, which includes The Damon Dash Music Group, a line of Tiret watches, Rachel Roy Clothing, Armadale Vodka and America Magazine. The winner gets to work on their project and will receive a 2006 Jeep Commander. Seven contestants have been kicked off the show since its premiere on October 4th.
Source: SOHH.com
Fontaine recently told police that Dash, publisher of America, punched him hard in the chest, causing him to fall over a chair and get injured. According to reports, Fontaine said he was recently walking in New York's SoHo neighborhood when Dash rolled by in his car and started cursing at him. Fontaine is now considering pressing charges against Dash.
Meanwhile, the former Roc-A-Fella honcho responded to Fontaine's allegations by telling New York's Daily News, "Would I be dumb enough to do something like that? I always think violence is the last means and the last resort. I never advocate violence."
In related news, John Coleman and John Rhodes, are also suing Dash, claiming they pitched "Mogul," a show with a premise similar to "Ultimate Hustler," to the CEO. The pair is seeking monetary damages from Dash, BET, the Damon Dash Music Group, Dash Films and Huck Films for breach of implied in-fact-contract and breach of confidence.
Like "Ultimate Hustler," "Mogul" pits competitors against one another in several challenges to become a prominent executive at a record label or artist management company. The plaintiffs say they registered "Mogul" with Writer's Guild of America in Los Angeles back in February 2004, and claim that Dash was interested in the idea but said it needed more development. Coleman and Rhodes agreed, but contend that Dash promised them he would keep the concept on the low.
"BET's Ultimate Hustler" takes 16 moguls-in-training and puts them through various challenges to crown the ultimate hustler. The contestants must pitch projects to work within the Dash empire, which includes The Damon Dash Music Group, a line of Tiret watches, Rachel Roy Clothing, Armadale Vodka and America Magazine. The winner gets to work on their project and will receive a 2006 Jeep Commander. Seven contestants have been kicked off the show since its premiere on October 4th.
Source: SOHH.com
