More legal trouble in the Jersey Shore family.
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino is being sued by his former managers for $1 million for firing them without cause.
According to the lawsuit filed in New York Supreme Court on Thursday, Gotham NYC Entertainment “successfully managed Sorrentino and helped transform his career from relative obscurity to become an international celebrity.”
Gotham says it began managing Sorrentino’s career in the autumn of 2009 and executed a management agreement with him in March 2010, effective from December 1, 2009. (Jersey Shore premiered on MTV on December 9, 2009.) The agreement was to last for two years with options to renew for additional one year terms. Gotham got a percentage of Sorrentino’s earnings, according to the complaint, regardless of whether the activity was procured by Gotham.
There were some outs for Sorrentino in the agreement. In the event of termination without cause, Gotham allegedly would continue to get its fees and monies until the expiration of two-year deal. Sorrentino could also terminate with cause, but with the obligation of making 30 days notice and entitling Gotham to “cure any alleged breach.”
On May 4, 2011, Gotham got a letter from Sorrentino’s attorney that terminated Gotham “effective immediately” over “the lack of performance by Gotham.”
Gotham says this didn’t comply with the 30-day notice provision of their agreement. It’s seeking damages for breach of contract.
Sorrentino is reportedly going to leave Jersey Shore to pursue a career as a film actor. He also recently dropped his trademark lawsuit against his father over the alleged exploitation of his fame on a website. According to TMZ, his father apologized, pledged to cease such activity, and have his partner cough up $5,000 to settle the case.
E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com
Twitter: @eriqgardner
