Legal problems continue to hound Mayweather Jr

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Legal problems continue to hound Floyd Mayweather Jr. after a Las Vegas nightclub security guard filed civil complaint against the undefeated American boxing champion and his bodyguards. Clay Gerling, in a six-page complaint, said that Mayweather and his bodyguards allegedly assaulted and choked him when he asked for their identification. The incident happened in January last year at the Wild Bill's Gambling Hall and Casino on Flamingo and Las Vegas Blvd. in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gerling is seeking in excess of $10,000 compensation against Mayweather and company for "willful, wanton, malicious and oppressive" acts that justify "awarding (him) exemplary and punitive damages." The case was filed before the Clark County Court by Gerling's lawyer, Donald C. Kudler, on May 4, 2011. Gerling, according to the complaint, was working as a security guard at Drai's Nightclub when Mayweather and his bodyguards entered the establishment on January 2, 2010. He then asked for their identifications but Mayweather’s bodyguard "maliciously and willfully assaulted and battered" him by "grabbing and choking" him, which "physically injured, and placed (him) in great fear of his life and well-being." Gerling is also seeking additional money from Mayweather and his bodyguards to pay off his "medical services, drugs and sundries reasonably required in the treatment and relief of the injuries he sustained." He is also seeking compensation for his loss of income as he was "prevented from attending his usual profession for a period in the future which we cannot now ascertain." Also named in the complaint were Mayweather's foundation, Floyd Joy, Inc. and #1Philty Rich Records and Does I-V, Does V-X and Roe Corporations I-V. The case has been assigned at Department 1 and will be presided over by Judge Kenneth C. Cory. An email sent to Mayweather's lawyer seeking comment remained unanswered. Separate incident Only last Friday, Mayweather was charged with assault for a separate incident that allegedly occurred outside Palms Hotel-Casino last March 27, 2010. Clark County resident Anthony Cliff filed the case against Mayweather. Cliff, in the complaint, said he tried to take the boxer's photo and made some comments about a potential fight for Mayweather. When Mayweather replied that Cliff was disrespecting him and gave the thumbs-down to his bodyguards, who then began to knock, pull and push him to the ground. Cliff said the "thumbs-down" was Mayweather’s signal for his bodyguards to attack him. Cliff added that Mayweather's bodyguards repeatedly kicked him when he was already lying on the pavement. Mayweather and company are being sued for assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent hiring, training, supervision and retention of employees. The Palms is also being sued for negligence, for failing to have adequate security in the valet parking area and failing to keep Mayweather and his entourage in check. – Joseph Lariosa/JVP, GMA News (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)