Another lawsuit targets Rodman

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- Adding yet another lawsuit to the growing list of

legal actions against Dennis Rodman, the former owner of Josh Slocum’s

restaurant is suing the ex-basketball star, one of his business partners

and two companies for $42,500 in compensation for handing over the

restaurant.

The suit, filed in Orange County Superior Court on Monday, alleges

that officials for Random Holdings Inc. and Random Interactive Inc. broke

a written contract to make payments to Kevin Finegold for relinquishing

control of the restaurant.

While the companies -- represented by Doug McAllister -- did pay

Finegold $50,000 of an agreed upon $92,500, further installments on the

sum were not made, according to the lawsuit. A written agreement, signed

by McAllister and Finegold, shows that a payment of $17,000 was due May

30, with a payment in the same amount to follow June 27 and another for

$35,000 July 25.

Finegold’s lawyer, John Fuchs, said Tuesday that his client simply

wanted his money and to get protection against potential lawsuits from

creditors, which are still owed between $100,000 and $200,000 by the

restaurant.

“Kevin wants to be done with it,” Fuchs said. “He wants his money and

get out of town, as they say. If Dennis wants the restaurant, he can have

it -- just pay for it.”

While Rodman has said he’s given the restaurant money, he also said he

does not have ownership in the restaurant.

Fuchs said he has no proof that Rodman holds interest in the two

companies. But he added that Finegold, Rodman and McAllister had made an

oral agreement that the latter two men would pay Finegold the money on

behalf of Random Holdings and Random Interactive. The suit also alleges

breach of oral contract, as well as fraud by intentional

misrepresentation and fraud by false promise.

City officials also named Rodman in a civil lawsuit against Josh

Slocum’s restaurant that was filed May 25. The intent of that suit is to

make Josh Slocum’s comply with city codes for live music, dancing and

limits on the maximum amount of patrons.

On June 6, an Irvine resident sued Rodman for injuries he suffered

when a bouncer allegedly punched him at Josh Slocum’s during a St.

Patrick’s Day brawl.

Unrelated to Josh Slocum’s, the Orange County district attorney’s

office charged Rodman on May 31 with three counts of criminal

misdemeanor, alleging he had used amplifiers illegally during his May 12

birthday party. He is set to be arraigned today in that matter.

If convicted, Rodman could face 18 months in jail and a $3,000 fine.

He would also get an additional year and a $2,000 fine for violating

probation. Rodman was arrested last year for driving under the influence

of alcohol and driving without a valid license.

Neither Rodman, McAllister nor their lawyers could be reached for

comment Tuesday. Finegold declined to comment.