LA Daily News - Marilyn Manson Seeks Order Preventing Public Disclosure of Finances

Marilyn Manson Seeks Order Preventing Public Disclosure of Finances
Daily News Wire
Mar 21, 2008

LOS ANGELES - Marilyn Manson is asking a judge to do for him what he did for Lindsay Lohan, court papers obtained today show. Ex-Manson keyboardist Stephen Bier, better known by the stage name Madonna Wayne Gacy, filed a breach of contract suit last Aug. 2 against Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner.

Bier, who is seeking more than $20 million, alleges Manson used money from their former band partnership to buy items ranging from Nazi paraphernalia to a $150,000 engagement ring for ex-wife Dita Von Teese, depriving him of his partnership share.

Because Bier's attorneys are seeking information about Manson's assets, lawyers for the shock rocker are asking Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael L. Stern to grant him an order protecting the confidentiality of his financial and business records by making all pretrial discovery subject to being sealed.

If granted, Bier's lawyers could see the documents but they could not give them to anyone else and the paperwork would be kept out of the public court file.

"A protective order is necessary to protect the confidentiality of that information against competitors and from the media and to preclude (Bier) from using Manson's confidential information for improper purposes," Manson's court papers state.

The request is "verbatim the same terms" as an order Stern previously granted Lindsay Lohan when she was being sued by busboy Raymundo Ortega over a traffic accident in West Hollywood in October 2005, according to Manson's court papers. Lohan and Ortega settled the case last month.

Attached to Manson's court papers is a copy of the Jan. 17 order Stern granted on Lohan's behalf.

The confidentiality order is needed before depositions in the case can go forward, according to Manson's court papers. Bier's lawyers have been trying to depose Manson for months and will renew that request during an April 10 hearing.

Stern heard arguments on the confidentiality order Wednesday, but did not rule and the motion remains under submission, his courtroom clerk said today.

Lawyers for the 44-year-old Bier are asking Stern to deny the confidentiality order as overbroad. They also say Manson is not press shy and has gone so far as to appear to have sex with current girlfriend Evan Rachel Wood in the band's latest video while publicly implying the act was not simulated.

"Manson lives his life in the public eye," Bier's court papers state. "He communicates frequently with the press regarding his personal affairs, openly discusses his frequent drug use, his failed marriage with burlesque model Dita Von Teese, his current relationship with actress Evan Rachel Wood, and his wild, rock 'n' roll lifestyle."

Manson also drinks absinthe -- a potent, bitter liqueur -- and snorts cocaine with magazine reporters ... and openly discusses the sexual conduct of his band members and friends, Bier's court papers state.

On Dec. 19, Manson countersued Bier, accusing him of not fully carrying out obligations to take part in master recordings, concerts and the selling of band merchandise, court papers obtained today show.

Lawyers for Manson, 39, state in his cross-complaint that the Manson- Bier business partnership was dissolved in 1996 after the singer became the focal point and leader of the band. During the next two years, Manson and the other band members signed amendments outlining their obligations regarding concerts, recordings, endorsements and advertising, the suit states.

Although Bier has been paid income for CD royalties, live performances and income made from band merchandising, he has "failed to render services to the best of his ability and in a practical and cooperative manner," the countersuit states.

Bier often showed up late for band recordings, performances and promotional appearances, and gave confidential band information to the media and other people without the consent of Manson, the countersuit states. Manson is seeking unspecified general and special damages, and a court order preventing Bier from releasing more confidential band information.

Manson and Bier have not been present for any of the hearings in the case.