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Legal
Lars Ulrich sued by former PA
By CMU Editorial | Published on Friday 11 February 2011
Lars Ulrich is being sued by his former PA for breaches of state and federal labour laws and breach of oral contract in relation to unpaid overtime spread over several years. The suit names the Metallica drummer’s company, Ulrich & Team Tours, as the defendant in the case, which was filed at Marin Superior Court this week.
According to the Marin Independent Journal, Steven Wiig claims that he worked for Ulrich from 2001 to 2009 in the drummer’s home and studio, as well as accompanying him on worldwide tours. He says he worked up to 70 hours a week, and up to 80 hours while on tour, and is claiming damages for overtime he was not paid during this period.
The lawsuit, which says Wiig was paid a base salary of $45,000 while working for Ulrich, also claims he is owed unpaid but promised bonuses from 2006-2008. He is seeking unspecified damages and legal costs.
However, Ulrich’s lawyer, Peter Paterno, told the MIJ that he had not seen the lawsuit, but that Wiig’s claims were overstated, that the former PA had actually earned $110,000 a year as well as having free board and use of a car, and that in most cases he was certain bonuses had been paid.
Paterno: “Lars’ accountant is checking on 2006, but Steve got bonuses in every other year of his employment, deserved or not. Specifically, in 2008, he received an extra $18,000. So it’s not clear what’s motivating this, but it really doesn’t seem to be about his compensation, does it?”
