Minnelli Hit With Sex/Violence Lawsuit

NOVEMBER 10--In a bombshell lawsuit, Liza Minnelli's former bodyguard/chauffeur alleges that the singer forced him to have sex with her and also beat him frequently, The Smoking Gun has learned. Without offering specifics in his New York State Supreme Court complaint, M'Hammed Soumayah also claims that he has "physical evidence" of his nonconsensual "sexual relationship with Minnelli." Below you'll find a copy of Soumayah's complaint. Soumayah, a married father of two, began working for the 58-year-old Minnelli in 1994 (he had previously worked for the designer Halston, a Minnelli pal). According to the lawsuit, during the course of Soumayah's employment, he was subjected to "many repeated attempts by Minnelli to compel plaintiff to have sex with her," entreaties to which he "eventually succumbed." Soumayah, 56, also charges that he was repeatedly "hit and assaulted" by Minnelli, but tolerated the performer's "violent outbursts" because he feared losing his $238,000 job. Soumayah contends he was canned in June, shortly after refusing to take a 50 percent pay cut. During an eventful mid-September meeting in Minnelli's Manhattan apartment, Soumayah claims that she propositioned, kissed, and smacked him, and even spit on her former aide after accusing him of betraying her. Soumayah is seeking $100 million in damages and an additional $89,000 he claims to be owed for work he performed in connection with Minnelli concert appearances. Like Soumayah, David Gest--Minnelli's estranged husband--has also filed a lawsuit claiming the performer dished out vicious beatings. Gest, though, has made no claim that he was coerced into servicing Minnelli. (6 pages)

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