Chugg Suit Dropped

A federal judge has agreed to a voluntary dismissal of claims filed against Australian promoter Michael Chugg by Michael Goldberg, appointed receiver of Jack Utsick’s Worldwide Entertainment and related interests, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Miami.

Goldberg had sought repayment of money he claimed Chugg owed WE for events the two companies co-promoted before Utsick, WE and two other partners were sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly bilking investors.

Chugg has denied owing Utsick or WE money, but Goldberg filed suit February 5th in the U.S. District Court’s Miami division and Chugg was reportedly served with a summons the following day at the Concert Industry Consortium in Los Angeles.

While it’s not clear what prompted Goldberg to move for dismissal without prejudice, Chugg had filed a response as well as motions to dismiss based on what he said was the U.S. court’s lack of jurisdiction in the case.

By dismissing the complaint "without prejudice," Goldberg could bring a new suit in a court that does have jurisdiction.

Chugg could not be reached at press time.