Posted Oct 18th 2007 5:41PM by TMZ Staff
Hotshot fashion lensman Markus Klinko is taking on embattled Rock & Republic Founder/CEO Michael Ball yet again, suing him for libel after Ball called him "a lunatic" and "a scary guy" in a magazine interview -- and this time he's demanding a whopping $50 million!
In this week's issue of DNR, the men's fashion industry trade magazine, Ball slams the photographer as "Klinko on the brinko," and says, "What do you say to a lunatic? ... If you see this guy's rap sheet he's a scary guy." In his lawsuit, filed today in Manhattan Supreme Court, Klinko calls Ball's jabs "false and defamatory" and alleges that Ball "deliberately sought to discredit plaintiff and hold him out for ridicule and humiliation."
Click here... it's not over yet
Filed under: Celebrity Justice
Tags: Markus Klinko, MarkusKlinko, Michael Ball, MichaelBall
Posted Aug 27th 2007 6:19PM by TMZ Staff
Rock and Republic clothing's CEO and lead designer, Michael Ball, is being sued by a former employee for sexual harassment.
TMZ obtained the lawsuit, filed August 17 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, that claims in November of 2006, Nicole Baros interviewed with Ball to be his personal assistant. During the five-minute interview, Baros alleges Ball asked her if she "had a boyfriend." The lawsuit claims that during her first month of employment, Ball made unwanted sexual advances towards her, such as "touching her hair, and continually staring at Baros' breasts and butt," and one point told her he wanted to "sleep with her."
The lawsuit also alleges at the company Christmas party Ball "cornered Baros in a room and attempted to kiss her ... then proceeded to stick his hand down plaintiff's pants." Later that month, she says she went to Ball's home to have him sign company checks and he answered the door in his underwear. She then says he chased her "around his apartment, grabbed her and threw her on his bed."
In the end, Baros claims she was not selected to go to Fashion Week in New York City, and was "let go and was told that there was not enough work for her."
Rock and Republic clothing has adorned the backsides of celebrities like Carmen Electra, Kate Winslet and Avril Lavigne.
A rep for the fashion line did not return our call for comment.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice
Tags: Michael Ball, MichaelBall, Rock and Republic, RockAndRepublic
