Gloria Allred speaking - H 2012
Andrew Burton/Getty Images)The drama continues in the John Travolta sexual battery litigation—despite the fact that both accusers have dropped their cases.
Okorie Okorocha, the lawyer who represented both masseurs that accused Travolta of sexual misconduct, is now suing Gloria Allred for allegedly stealing his clients. The civil complaint, filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, alleges claims for intentional interference with contractual relations, intentional interference with prospective economic relations and unfair business practices.
Okorocha claims that upon learning of a possible conflict of interest between his two clients – John Doe No. 1 and John Doe No. 2 – he suggested that John Doe No. 1 find a new lawyer. At that point, John Doe No. 1 allegedly dismissed Okorocha from his case and hired Allred to represent him. The lawsuit was ultimately dropped.
Allred then allegedly solicited John Doe No. 2 in an effort to represent him as well. Okorocha then appeared on CNN on May 15 to discuss the alleged solicitation, after which Allred fired back with an email to Okorocha claiming that she had had “no communication with that person” and warning, “I strongly advise you not to make false statements about me.”
Two days later, it was announced that Allred had signed John Doe No. 2 as her client. Just a few days later, the second case against Travolta was dropped, though Allred continues to represent both John Does.
Okorocha is seeking unspecified compensation, as well as non-economic damages for “emotional distress.”
Allred issued the following statement on Monday: “Mr. Okorocha’s lawsuit will be dismissed, and we will ultimately recover a judgment against him.”
