Avram Keeps Lawyers Busy

European promoter Marcel Avram has a busy summer bringing major international acts to The Balkans, but he’s also keeping his lawyers busy.

Having recently filed suit against Romanian promoter Sorina Burlacu over a debt he claims she has owed him since a Gianna Nannini show they co-promoted in September 2008, he’s now reportedly suing the mayor of Bucharest for euro 340,000 over a Bryan Adams show that happened the same month.

He’s reportedly claimed there was a “verbal understanding” with Mayor Sorin Oprescu that the city would contribute that amount, as the Adams show was part of that year’s Bucharest Days, a series of events organised by the local authority.

The complaint against Mayor Oprescu was filed in August and the case was scheduled to begin in the Bucharest High Court Feb. 19, a week after the case against Burlacu was to start.

Reports in local paper Evenimentul Zilei (EVZ) say the money represents the bulk of the $450,000 fee paid to Adams, while Bucharest City Hall representatives claim the municipality has no further payment obligation relating to the event. The Association for Culture and Youth of Romania (ATRCN) has reportedly paid $161,650 toward Adams’ fee.

Stoica & Associates, Avram’s Romanian-based lawyers, are declining to comment on the grounds they don’t want to prejudice the legal process.

EVZ says Avram will show the balance of Adams’ fee was paid by his Istanbul-based Purple Concerts.

Avram has brought major international acts to Romania since the early ’90s, beginning with Michael Jackson – whose own legal battle with the promoter made newspaper headlines worldwide.

Avram returned in 2007 and worked with local promoter Stefan Morosanu to put on George Michael in Bucharest. He’s also brought Leonard Cohen and Snoop Dogg to Romania. This year’s diary includes AC/DC in Bucharest’s Constitution Square May 16 – a show that requires the permission of the city authorities that he’s currently taking to court.

He’s also promoting Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood in Bucharest June 11, and the country’s first Sonisphere Festival – headlined by Rammstein – June 25 and 27.

Although Burlacu has been forced to bankrupt three of her companies, she says that won’t affect her July 20 show with The Cranberries, which is being produced by a fourth company she started last November, called Events Administration Ltd.