Cameraman Allegedly Assaulted By Rapper Kanye West Files Lawsuit
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — An attorney for a videographer who was allegedly attacked by rapper Kanye West filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the musician.
The incident, which occurred July 19 at Los Angeles International Airport, was caught on video and showed West being thronged by cameras while trying to get into a white Mercedes-Benz waiting curbside.
In the video, West accuses the paparazzi of trying to provoke him "so I have to pay you, like, $250,000." He then lunges at a photographer's camera and tries to wrestle it away.
West — who, according to KCAL9's Jeff Nguyen, has not been served with the complaint — has had similar run-ins with so-called "paparazzi" at LAX before, trading barbs with photographers who follow his every move.
Allred: Photographer Exercised Civil Rights
In a statement, attorney Gloria Allred pledged to "strongly condemn the support that some celebrities have given Kanye West for his attack on 'paparazzi.'"
Ramos is suing for assault, battery, negligence and interference with his civil rights.
"All that Danny did was to exercise his right of free speech," Allred said at a news conference Wednesday while making the announcement.
"Danny held on to his camera, and fell down onto his knees onto the paved sidewalk with enough force that he sustained injuries to his right hip, was in great pain, and had to be transported in an ambulance," she said.
Ramos said he spent two weeks on crutches after the incident and still relies on a cane to walk.
Allred said she is still waiting to hear from the District Attorney on whether or not they will pursue charges against West.
Photographer Says He's Still In Pain After West Altercation
"It's overdue for the prosecutors to make a decision as to whether or not they think there is sufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt," she said.
The monetary amount sought in the lawsuit was unspecified.
(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
