Photographer David LaChapelle sued for allegedly beating and choking gallery owner
The attack allegedly took place at the house of LaChapelle’s ex-manager, who he sued
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.David LaChappelle, a photographer known for his portraits of Madonna, Elizabeth Taylor and a host of other celebrities, is being sued for $1m by a gallery owner who claims to have been beaten and choked by the Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone contributor.
James Parmenter, who in the past has exhibited LaChapelle’s works at his Bigfork Collaborations gallery in Bigfork, Montana, filed the case at a Manhattan court earlier this week. He alleges that the photographer attacked him at a Manhattan apartment in March last year, choking him “to the point of unconsciousness”.
“LaChapelle pushed and threw Parmenter around the apartment, including into the bed, exercise equipment and closet, and choked Parmenter nearly to the point of unconsciousness,” according to the lawsuit.
The attack is alleged to have taken place at the house of Fred Torres, LaChapelle’s former manager. Last year, the photographer was reported to have sued Torres for allegedly cheating him out of millions of dollars from sales of his work.
One of the photographer’s representatives denied the gallery owner’s claims, according to the New York Post.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments