Comedian John Caparulo is being sued by a talent agency that alleges he owes money for past bookings made on his behalf.
Parallel Entertainment Inc. filed the breach-of-contract lawsuit Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeking unspecified damages.
A representative for the 39-year-old Caparulo, who’s known for his appearances on the E! talk show “Chelsea Lately,” could not be immediately reached.
According to the complaint, Caparulo hired Matt Van De Water as his personal manager in October 2001, when his career was starting. The comedian agreed to pay Van De Water 10 percent of his gross earnings stemming from bookings and engagements the manager obtained for him, the suit states.
After Van De Water joined Parallel Entertainment in June 2007, Caparulo consented to paying 15 percent of his gross earnings to the company, according to the lawsuit.
However, after seven years of “an undeniably successful relationship” with Parallel, Caparulo “abruptly terminated” the talent agency’s services on or about March 13, the suit says.
Caparulo owed Parallel commissions when the relationship ended, but he has refused to pay, according to the plaintiff.
“Apparently, Caparulo believes that by firing Parallel, he can dodge his obligation to pay Parallel its rightful portion of profits attributable in large part to Parallel’s efforts,” the suit alleges. “In addition to violating the parties’ agreement, Caparulo’s conduct is unjust and in bad faith.”
