Grammy winner Harvey Mason Jr. is being sued by a Manhattan Beach man who alleges the music producer assaulted him while he was documenting loud sounds and vibrations generated from an exercise facility near his home.
Jared Mitchell filed the lawsuit Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court. He alleges assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
A representative for Mason could not be immediately reached.
According to the complaint, Mitchell and his roommate, Cory Mendelsohn, have been involved in legal disputes with the Level 10 Fitness gym at 3219 Highland Ave. since they moved into their home adjacent to the facility in April 2012. Mason is a member and client of the gym, the suit states.
At about 10:45 a.m. Oct. 4, 2012, Mitchell walked to the corner of the intersection furthest from Level 10 and began using his cell phone to gather video documentation for his legal fight with the gym, the suit states. Mason, who was exercising at Level 10 at the time, left the gym and began walking toward Mitchell, according to the lawsuit.
Mitchell stopped recording and put his phone in his pocket, but Mason — a former top college basketball player whose career was derailed by knee injuries — grabbed Mitchell’s left bicep and forced him against a wall, threatening to hurt him if he called the police, the suit states.
Mason is seven inches taller and 70 pounds heavier than Mitchell, the suit states.
After making the alleged threat, Mason released Mitchell, who then reached into his pocket for his cell phone, the suit states. Mason grabbed Mitchell by the one arm and again told him not to call the police, according to the complaint.
“Mason continued to menace and threaten Mitchell until an employee of Level 10 intervened,” the suit states.
Mitchell delayed calling the police for fear of his safety, but eventually contacted the authorities and reported the incident, the suit states. Mason admitting grabbing Mitchell, the suit states. A copy of the police report taken after the confrontation states that the confrontation was recorded on video from surveillance equipment at Mitchell’s home.
Mitchell alleges he has suffered emotional distress, anxiety and loss of sleep.
The 46-year-old Mason has written and produced songs for such artists as Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Britney Spears, Jordin Sparks, Chris Brown, Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, Jessica Mauboy, Mary J. Blige and Justin Timberlake.
Mason also served as executive producer for “More Than A Game,” a documentary featuring LeBron James.
