Former GM Sues HoB

The former House of Blues Anaheim GM has filed suit against HoB and Live Nation, saying he was wrongfully terminated and accusing the venue of partaking in the kind of dirty deeds he was supposedly fired over.

George James Fischer, who goes by Jamie Fischer, was employed at the HoB June 2001 to July 2010, having risen to the rank of GM in 2008. Fischer, who owns a minority stake in Johnny’s Saloon, a Huntington Beach restaurant, claims upper management accused him of buying booze for the restaurant using HoB’s purchase credit line.

Fischer says he “specifically denied” the claim but was put under investigation. Upon the investigation’s results, he says he was terminated without notice. He also claims he has not been compensated for 100 hours of unused vacation time, even though the House of Blues has acknowledged he is owed it. Fischer claims the defendants “continue to publish to third parties throughout the restaurant industry” that he is a “thief” who was terminated for “stealing.” Fischer claims he is entitled to at least $1 million for general and specific damages.

The former GM also claims the termination is hypocritical because the House of Blues on the Disneyland property – and the chain in general – conduct illegal practices similar to what he was accused of doing.

“Over the years alcohol was purchased for employees and managers who had wedding receptions and other events on premises and off,” according the lawsuit filed in Superior Court of California. “All such alcohol was purchased through the HoB liquor license. This was and is a common practice throughout the entire HoB venues authorized and approved by senior HoB management. These purchases were purchased on a separate invoice and were paid by the employee.”

Fischer also claims that its riders were negotiated where the band’s choice of alcohol was provided free of charge and that minors frequently drank in the backstage area. He also claims upper management was aware of marijuana in the green room, which was less than 50 feet from the ABC-licensed establishment – an ABC violation that “subjects the liquor license to revocation.”

Then there is the claim of capacity violations.

Fischer claims he was instructed by HoB to oversell the shows “on a regular basis.” The legal capacity of the club is 1,050, but Fischer claims he was commonly asked to oversell the show by 50, not including the guest list and comps.

Then, when questioned by the fire marshal, “management instructed Plaintiff to provide false documentation to the fire marshal to show occupancy level/tickets sold to a particular show to be within legal occupancy levels. Management directed Plaintiff to engage in such acts or risk the loss of his job.”

A Live Nation spokeswoman told Pollstar the company does not comment on pending litigation.