LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — A former general manager of the House of Blues (HOB) Downtown Disney in Anaheim outlet has filed a lawsuit against HoB and their parent company Live Nation, alleging violation of labor codes, wrongful termination and defamation.
According to the OC Weekly, the suit, filed on behalf of George James Fischer, makes a number of allegations that HoB and Live Nation systematically violated laws and retaliated against Fischer when he complained.
Fischer's suit contends that his supervisors instructed Fischer to routinely oversell shows to increase profits and mislead fire officials about over capacity crowds. He also alleges that HoB officials regularly permitted under-aged individuals to drink and smoke marijuana backstage during shows.
Fischer claims that he was instructed to ignore such practices or face dismissal from his position.
Fischer also claims that in July 2010, HoB fired him without notice and refused to pay owed wages after Fischer used HoB's liquor license to purchase alcohol for Johnny's Saloon, a Huntington Beach restaurant he partially owns. Fischer maintains that the firing was improper because HoB officials were aware of, and had authorized the purchase.
Fischer claims that the firing was retaliatory and that he was further defamed when HoB officials allegedly called him a "thief" and stated he was fired for "stealing."
Fischer is seeking more than $1 million in damages. HoB has yet to respond to a request for comment on the suit. – Ian Courtney
