Stubner Gets A Crüe-Full

Mötley Crüe has filed an amended complaint against Carl Stubner, whom the band claims as one of its former managers. Although the Sanctuary Management exec has denied involvement with the band, the new filing comes with sworn declarations that say otherwise.

In June, Mötley Crüe filed a $20 million lawsuit, seeking compensatory damages against Stubner and Sanctuary for lost earnings, lost profits and diminished brand and goodwill value.

Stubner/Sanctuary blasted the new, amended complaint, saying the plaintiffs "obviously intend to try this case in the press, rather than in the courtroom," adding that the original complaint was thrown out by the court. "Tommy Lee stands by Carl Stubner and Sanctuary," it said.

The band alleges Stubner diminished the band’s success by mismanaging Pamela Anderson’s ex, putting him in situations where he looked like a buffoon (TV show "Tommy Lee Goes To College") and keeping Lee unavailable for Mötley Crüe shows, causing the band to do 40 fewer performances than it could have.

The band claims Stubner was one of three managers – including Burt Stein of B Entertainment and Allen Kovac of 10th Street Entertainment. The amended complaint includes a declaration by Stein that Stubner was a band manager.

Also included are declarations by Jeff Varner of 10th Street, singer Vince Neil, band attorney Paul Schindler, business manager Paul Glass and Artist Group International prexy Dennis Arfa and agent Peter Pappalardo (who tried to book the band’s 2005 "Red, White and Crüe" tour but claim Lee’s scheduling conflicts forced cancellations and postponements). All of the declarations affirm Stubner as a band manager.

The suit also claims Stubner would take concert tickets from the band’s allotment and re-sell them on the secondary market for personal gain.

Stubner/Sanctuary has retained attorney Larry Feldman to defend them. Feldman said there was no truth in the allegations and that in 35 years, "I have never seen a complaint with evidentiary declarations attached unless the plaintiffs are looking for something that they will not attain in the courtroom."

Stubner took over management responsibilities for ZZ Top last year after the band ended a 37-year relationship with Bill Ham. Stubner also shepherds Rock Star: Supernova – a band associated with Tommy Lee.

Speaking of Lee, the complaint said the drummer officially resigned from the band. Lee quickly issued a statement that his future with the band was merely "uncertain" and he wasn’t ready to walk away from his band of 25 years.

"It troubles me that the current legal issues which were filed by the corporations against my personal manager are separating us and causing more dysfunction," he said.