Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Nightclub sues Drake, Chris Brown, blames them for brawl

NEW YORK -- Chris Brown and Drake were sued Wednesday over a bottle-throwing nightclub brawl involving their entourages, as a company with ties to the club sought to hold the music stars responsible for the melee.

Brown's representatives had no immediate comment about the $16-million lawsuit, and Drake's representatives didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The suit faulted the artists for -- at a minimum -- doing nothing to stop the June 14 fracas and said it sullied the chic Manhattan nightspot's name.

Brown and Drake should bear blame for a glass-flinging, broken-bottle-swinging free-for-all in a crowded club "in circumvention of the venue's extensive security measures," says the lawsuit, filed by Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. The company owns the trademark for Greenhouse; the owners of the club itself aren't involved in the lawsuit and declined to comment.

No criminal charges have been filed in the fight, which left Brown, NBA star Tony Parker and others injured. Police say the fracas started after members of Drake's entourage confronted Brown on the dance floor as he was leaving the club's basement lounge, called W.i.P. Drake's representatives have said he was on his way out and didn't injure anyone.

The lawsuit, however, points to news accounts of bad blood between Brown and Drake, both of whom have dated singer Rihanna. Entertainment Enterprises believes the two men instigated, encouraged, or at least failed to stop the fight, lawyer Andrew T. Miltenberg said.

"It's their posse, and they're in charge, and to the extent that they could have controlled or dissipated whatever was going on, we don't believe they did," he said.

Because of publicity about the fight, a $4-million deal to license Greenhouse's name for other clubs around the country fell through, the lawsuit says.

Entertainment Enterprises is headed by a former Greenhouse owner, Jon Bakhshi.

The current owners face suits over the dust-up, including a $20-million claim from Parker.

The city shuttered the club for a time after the brawl; Greenhouse reopened July 10. It is continuing to fight a State Liquor Authority effort to nix its liquor licence.

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 17, 2012 D2

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.

letters

Make text: Larger | Smaller

LATEST VIDEO

Fire destroys Manitoba Ave home, residents escape

View more like this

Photo Store Gallery

  • Geese fight as a male defends his nesting site at the duck pond at St Vital Park Thursday morning- See Bryksa’s Goose a Day Photo- Day 08- May 10, 2012   (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)
  • Geese fly in the morning light over Selkirk Ave Wednesday morning- Day 22– June 13, 2012   (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

View More Gallery Photos

Poll

Would you like to live in a new 42-storey downtown highrise?

View Results

View Related Story

Ads by Google