Motley Crue Loses Legal Battle With Mick Mars
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee attend the last ever European press conference for Motley Crue at Law Society on June 9, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Motley Crue faced another setback in their ongoing dispute with former guitarist Mick Mars, as a Los Angeles judge ruled against the band in the latest legal skirmish.
The conflict arose in April when Mars alleged that the band was attempting to financially exploit him after his retirement. The recent judgment revealed that Motley Crue failed to promptly provide requested documents to Mars, despite ongoing requests from the guitarist and his representatives.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant stated in his ruling that the requested documents were not overly burdensome, and Mars had to resort to legal action to obtain them. The judge emphasized that Mars is entitled to attorney fees. The band initially claimed to have furnished all responsive documents in November but later presented an additional 1,372 pages in December, a delay deemed as a refusal by Judge Chalfant.
Motley Crue and Mick Mars Navigate Claims of Victory Despite Legal Setback
While Motley Crue suffered a legal blow, the dispute continues, with the core issue being Mars’ contention of an improper termination from the band. The matter is scheduled to be addressed by a private arbitrator later this year.
Despite the ruling, both parties claimed victory. Mars’ attorney, Ed McPherson, asserted that the judge’s decision exposed the band’s attempt to bully Mars and emphasized the ongoing arbitration that will determine the legitimacy of Mars giving up his shares.
Motley Crue’s representatives, on the other hand, celebrated the dismissal of Mars’ additional legal filings as “moot” and considered the case concluded. The band’s attorney emphasized that the court affirmed the band’s compliance with document disclosure requirements, going beyond what was legally necessary.
“The case is over. That’s the key takeaway,” declared the band’s attorney. “By denying the petition as moot and ending the case, the court found that the band turned over all the documents to Mars and there is nothing more to do. The band went above and beyond its obligations by providing much more documents than the statute required – indeed, the court’s decision explained the thousands of documents that the band provided to Mars.”
