"Lord of the Dance" Star Michael Flatley Obtains $11 Million Judgment.LOS ANGELES Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. -- Michael Flatley Michael Ryan Flatley (born July 16, 1958 in Detroit, Michigan) is an Irish-American step dancer from the south side of Chicago. His parents were from County Mayo and County Carlow. As a child, he moved to Chicago - the city which he considers his home town. , best known for his role in the "Lord of the Dance" and "Riverdance" productions, has obtained an $11 million judgment in a defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. case. Greenberg Glusker attorneys Bert Fields and Ricardo Cestero represented Flatley in this matter. "This case proves that it never pays to try to extort To compel or coerce, as in a confession or information, by any means serving to overcome the other's power of resistance, thus making the confession or admission involuntary. To gain by wrongful methods; to obtain in an unlawful manner, as in to compel payments by means of threats of money by making up false accusations," said Flatley. "Bert and Ricardo were instrumental in helping me clear my name and in sending a message that extorting money from celebrities by making up false stories won't be tolerated." In 2002, real estate agent Tyna Marie Robertson claimed that Flatley had sexually assaulted her during a trip to Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. . In hopes of obtaining millions of dollars from Flatley, Robertson retained counsel and threatened to go public with the allegations of sexual assault. Refusing to pay, Flatley countersued both Robertson and her lawyer, D. Dean Mauro, for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and civil extortion. In July 2006, the California Supreme Court held that Mauro had committed extortion and he subsequently settled the case by making a substantial payment to Flatley. Greenberg Glusker attorneys then assisted Flatley in obtaining the nearly $11.1 million judgment against Robertson. "When someone makes false accusations, the victim really does suffer, which is why we have laws against defamation," said entertainment attorney Ricardo Cestero, who specializes in First Amendment issues. "This case clearly demonstrates that extortion schemes against celebrities don't pay and that no one--including lawyers--is above the law." Flatley has stated that he will donate any recovery on the judgment to charity. About Greenberg Glusker Greenberg Glusker helps clients to maximize their potential by providing strategic business and legal counsel in matters involving entertainment, real estate, land use, environmental, intellectual property, technology, business, labor and employment, estate planning Estate Planning The overall planning of a person's wealth, including the preparation of a will and the planning of taxes after the individual's death. Notes: Contrary to popular belief, estate planning involves much more than preparing a will, and it is not only for the , tax law and litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. . For more information, visit GGFirm.com. |
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