The ongoing feud between UTA and former MediaLink chairman-CEO Michael Kassan has taken a new turn with Kassan filing a defamation lawsuit against UTA attorney Bryan Freedman.
Kassan’s lawsuit against Freedman revolves around a statement made by the lawyer to Deadline earlier this week, where he referred to Kassan as a “pathological liar.” This statement, published on March 25, prompted Kassan to take legal action against Freedman for slander and libel.
According to Sanford Michelman, Kassan’s attorney, the lawsuit aims to hold Freedman accountable for his “strategically malicious and defamatory comment.” Michelman argues that UTA and Freedman are attempting to hinder Kassan’s ability to compete by tarnishing his reputation in the media, as alleged in Kassan’s demand for arbitration.
UTA has previously accused Kassan of reckless spending and misuse of company funds, while Kassan has countered by alleging that UTA breached agreements established during its acquisition of MediaLink. Kassan’s defamation lawsuit seeks $125 million in damages.
Freedman defended his statement, stating that it was based on factual evidence and not defamation. He reiterated UTA’s position that Kassan engaged in fraudulent activities, emphasizing that the agency will continue to pursue legal action against him.
Kassan’s lawsuit asserts that Freedman’s comment was intended to sabotage Kassan’s efforts to launch a new venture. The disagreement also extends to whether Kassan was offered a $10 million severance package with a noncompete clause, with Kassan claiming he rejected the offer while UTA denies making such an offer.
The lawsuit accuses Freedman of making a malicious and intentional statement with the aim of damaging Kassan’s reputation. It alleges that Freedman knowingly violated the law by defaming Kassan and suggests that UTA is complicit in this defamation.
The legal battle between Kassan and UTA continues to escalate, with both sides vehemently defending their positions and pursuing legal recourse to resolve their disputes.
