Clay Aiken Stinks as a Neighbor, According to Lawsuit
The neighbor of 2003 American Idol runner up Clay Aiken is suing the star for a leaky clogged toilet. According to Elizabeth Rothstein, 39, who is a lawyer and tenant of the same luxury condo complex as Aiken, water leaked into her unit on January 21, causing a foul smelling flood.
The singer “clogged the toilet with improper foreign materials,” according to Rothstein, and “improperly and negligently operated and maintained the toilet in [his] unit.”
The lawsuit goes on to state that the leak led to “extensive damage to Rothstein’s apartment and belongings.” She is looking to be reimbursed for property damage, repair costs and cleaning services. The suit, which Rothstein filed on her own behalf, also names the owner of Aiken’s condo as a defendant. The singer is rarely seen at the complex.
After Aiken came in second place in the famous singing competition, his celebrity status led to the successful release of a multi-platinum album, “Measure of a Man.” In 2014, Aiken also ran for Congress in North Carolina as a Democrat, but lost to his Republican opponent, Renee Ellmers. He gained media attention sometime later after announcing that then entertainment personality and business mogul turned President Donald Trump did not get to choose which contestants were fired on “Celebrity Apprentice.”
But instant fame instantly came with a price for Aiken — including invasion of privacy, questions regarding his sexuality and multiple lawsuits.
Back in 2006, Jeanie Holleman, alleged family friend to the Aikens and author of the 2005 book, Out of the Blue-‘Clay’ it Forward, filed a lawsuit against the singer claiming his family maliciously attempted to stunt sales of her book. According to Holleman, she had been long time friends with Clay’s mother and was appalled by the mistreatment. She also alleged one of Clay’s bodyguards roughed her up at a Hawaiian fundraiser, and that she was assaulted on another occasion.
Holleman sought a minimum of $260,000 to settle the suit, requesting that Aiken retract all negative comments regarding her book he had posted online, that he write a positive introduction for the book, and agree to display it at every performance of his for the next five years. The case was initially dismissed. Holleman appealed and the decision was upheld all except for the battery charges, which Aiken was forced to pay damages for.
Then, in 2014, 19 Recordings alleged Sony Music breached contracts and shorted royalty payments to former American Idol singers, naming the shows most notable contestants, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Chris Daughtry, Jordin Sparks, David Archuleta and David Cook. Clay Aiken was also included. American Idol left Sony in 2010 and entered into an agreement with Universal Music Group. Sony refused to settle, and when last reported on in 2016, the two parties were said to have plausible arguments and the case moved to summary judgment.
Needless to say, sometimes it stinks to be famous. Aiken has not commented on the current, pending litigation against him.
Sources:
Clay Aiken’s neighbor claims his clogged toilet flooded her apartment in $60G suit
Clay Aiken facing $60K lawsuit over leaky clogged toilet
Clay Aiken Sued By Angry Author
Lawsuit seeks millions in royalties for ‘Idol’ singers
Judge Finds Sony-Spotify Agreement to Be Ambiguous in Big Royalties Lawsuit
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