Celebrity Justice
Firm Claims Employee Screwed Them at Sundance

TMZ has learned that a big New York PR shop hired P. Diddy's former chief of staff to be their marketing point man in Sundance -- only to see the guy totally ditch them on the first day of the festival!
5W/Sunndance
In a lawsuit filed in New York, 5W Public Relations alleges that Akil Rucker took the post of Director of Marketing -- and a $250,000 budget -- to get the party started for several of the firm's clients at the Sundance Film Festival.

He was supposed to "attract and book corporate sponsors and celebrities" to head to Sundance- on their dime. 5W says after eight months of prep, Rucker abruptly bailed on the job the very day that Sundance started, without any warning, and after he'd already been given checks to give to vendors! As a result, 5W had to scramble to get their Sundance on -- though they still managed to get the Hiltons, Mary-Kate Olsen, and other celebs to come to their parties.

"Akil Rucker has tremendously damaged 5W Public Relations and will be held responsible. We can't comment any further on legal matters," said Ronn Torossian, CEO of 5W Public Relations. Akil Rucker wasn't immediately available for comment.

Tags: 5W Public Relations, 5wPublicRelations, Akil Rucker, AkilRucker

Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 2) Previous 15 Comments

16. Ronn Torossian is a sheer genius. Go Ronn go.

Posted at 11:36PM on Apr 10th 2008 by Johngrove

17. Simple case.

Rucker stole. Torossian owns a business and got screwed. Seems pretty cut & dry.

Torossian's making millions and a smart guy. The future of PR.

Posted at 11:49PM on Apr 10th 2008 by PR follower

18. Akil Rucker is very good with people of ALL races and ages. He is a TRUE con man. I have known him for years and can say with confidence that I was shocked when I heard that he had been given a prestigious position as Director of Marketing for such a reputable firm. This guy couldn't follow through as a mailman! He is one of the most egocentric, womanizing, unprofessional fakes in the New York scene. 5W should have done their homework on this guy, they would've found out quickly that he is a fraud.

Posted at 11:39PM on Jun 4th 2008 by bob eubanks

Previous 15 Comments