Justin Bieber is being sued again. A paparazzo alleges the star destroyed his camera with the help of one of his bodyguards after ordering a guard to grab his equipment. The photog claims he was attacked after taking photos of Bieber jumping off a cliff in Kauai, Hawaii, in November 2013. In original reports, no mention was made of the star touching or destroying a camera. Now, just as a civil lawsuit is filed, there is.
Justin Bieber is being sued. Again. A paparazzo is claiming the singer personally destroyed his camera and memory card along with one of his bodyguards after allegedly ordering that guard to take his equipment. The photographer claims he was attacked after taking photos of Bieber jumping off a cliff in Kauai, Hawaii, in November 2013.
In original reports, no mention was made of the then 19-year-old singer personally touching or destroying the paparazzo’s camera.
Now, just as a civil lawsuit seeking damages for assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence is filed in Los Angeles on Tuesday, that has changed.
TMZ reports the paparazzo’s name is Aja Oxman. His lawsuit has been filed by his attorney Sark Ohaniana.
Oxman claims Bieber was behind an alleged attack in which he was allegedly lifted up in a chokehold by a bodyguard, then thrown onto the hood of a car. According to the website — which has obtained a copy of the lawsuit — Oxman alleges Justin “enjoyed the beating.”
In court papers, the paparazzo also alleges Bieber told one of his bodyguards, “Go get his memory card and do whatever you have to do to get that card,” before the singer and guard allegedly jointly destroyed the camera.
The incident is alleged to have occurred on November 20, 2013, when Bieber visited Poipu in Kauai, Hawaii , just after completing the Latin America leg of his Believe world tour.
As The Inquisitr previously reported, at around 4 pm that day, a mixed crowd of bystanders and paparazzi watched as Bieber leaped off the famed cliff at Shipwreck’s Beach — which is open to the public. The singer posted a photo and video of his jump on his Twitter page the next day.
Oxman was one of a few photogs taking photos of Justin’s jump. Shortly after, the then 29-year-old paparazzo claimed he was approached by one of the singer’s bodyguards — later identified as Dwayne Patterson — and told to delete his snaps.
At the time, multiple reports stated Oxman claimed their interaction turned violent when he refused Patterson’s request. The photog said Dwayne then assaulted him and damaged his camera. TMZ also originally reported Oxman stated he wasn’t too hurt and refused medical attention .
Police called to the scene, arrested the then 32-year-old Patterson for third degree assault and fourth degree criminal property damage. He was released on $3,000 bail. He later paid Oxman $6,000 in restitution, NBCNews reports.
“I went there to see if I could get a better look at Justin Bieber and his security choked out one of the picture guys,” witness Levi Lancaster told local news outlet The Garden Island , shortly after the alleged November attack.
Lancaster reportedly added: “It wasn’t just some random guy. It was for sure Justin Bieber’s security.”
Lancaster claimed he saw Patterson and another bodyguard chase the photographer to his car. He added Patterson, “put him [Oxman] in a headlock and lifted him off the ground until he dropped his camera and keys.”
“He was really calling for help,” Lancaster said then of Oxman.
Levi claimed Bieber screamed at Patterson to get the paparazzo’s camera and remove the memory card.
Lancaster reportedly added: “It was so sad. There was a better way to handle that. It was just a trip, man. It was unreal.”
A second eyewitness, who told the same outlet they wished to remain anonymous, added :
“Bieber verbally said to go get that guy and get his memory card. He just sent his security to do his dirty work.”
These original witness accounts suggest Oxman’s original claim, which previously alleged he was attacked by Patterson alone , has now been bulked to include Bieber as a participant in the alleged destruction of his camera to hike up potential damages.
If so, the omission of Bieber as allegedly personally destroying the camera with Patterson in Oxman’s 2013 police statement may substantially undermine the credibility of his allegation.
No doubt that will be pointed out by Bieber’s lawyers as the lawsuit progresses.
Claims that the Canadian and his bodyguards allegedly get heavy-handed with bystanders and paparazzi have been reported for over a year and resulted in at least four ongoing civil lawsuits.
An in-depth report on these can be read here .
[ Images via Instagram ].