NEW
YORK, NY (06.16.04) -- Rapper DMX, who
growls and barks through most of his
records, has landed in the legal doghouse
with a company that claims he breached
an agreement to promote its line of
high-end doggie-wear.
Amusing
Diversions Inc. alleged in court papers
that when it signed a promotion agreement
with DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons,
it was unaware of his involvement in
dogfighting or his conviction on animal
cruelty charges.
Agents
for the 33-year-old rapper, who recorded
the hit ''Get at Me Dog,'' said in court
papers that he had recorded ''dog awareness''
radio spots urging people to be kind
to their animals. Those announcements
reflected his ''positive connection
with dogs,'' they said.
But
Amusing Diversions, in its filing this
week in Manhattan's state Supreme Court,
said his radio spots were ''part of
a community service obligation judicially
imposed upon him'' for animal cruelty.
DMX
pleaded guilty to the cruelty charges
in 2002 after officials found 14 pit
bulls living in filthy conditions at
his New Jersey home. He was fined and
ordered to do the ads.
Lawyers
for DMX did not immediately return calls
Friday seeking comment.
Michael
Rovell, lawyer for Amusing Diversions,
said the company signed DMX last June
and paid him $15,000 to help sell leather
jackets, bubble jackets with fur trim,
sports jerseys and other high-end ''urban''
dog wear.
Rovell
said Friday that DMX had done ''nothing,
not a thing'' to support his end of
the deal. He never mentioned the products
during various TV appearances despite
promises to do so, court papers say.
The
lawsuit alleged fraud and breach of
contract and sought return of the $15,000
paid to DMX, plus $75,000 the company
claimed it invested to promote the clothing
line.
story
courtesy of ardmoreite
