An attorney for Shoreline Amphitheatre and Bill Graham Presents recently told a newspaper that his clients are being extorted by the city of Mountain View, Calif., adding that the city is on a “fishing expedition” to get more money.
The comments were in response to the city’s accusation that BGP and its parent company, Clear Channel Entertainment, have under-reported money owed to Mountain View, which leases the amphitheatre to BGP. A city-commissioned audit claims the venue under-reported gross revenue by $20 million from 1999 to 2004 and owes the city at least $3.6 million.
The parties are expected to face off in court February 6th.
“They are trying to extort money from our client,” Keith Fong told The Mercury News. “The defendant is a deep pocket, and they know it.”