John Antonelli is seeking at least $50,000 in damages in the lawsuit. Along with Violent J (real name Joseph Bruce), the suit names Fargo’s Hub Entertainment Center as a defendant, according to The Forum newspaper.
Antonelli claims Bruce was negligent for throwing the bottle without warning and The Hub, previously named Playmakers, was negligent for not providing sufficient security or for keeping Bruce in check, the paper said.
A spokesman for The Hub told Pollstar the venue does not comment on pending litigation beyond reiterating what The Hub told the Forum – that Bruce is alone in the blame and the venue is working to find out more about the band’s liability insurance.
Bruce has not filed a response to the lawsuit and Antonelli’s attorney, Daylen Ramstad, told the paper he has had trouble serving papers, alleging Bruce is “ducking service.”
“[Bruce] is aware of it, no doubt about it,” Ramstad said, adding that law enforcement attempted to serve Bruce onstage but his “manager” (likely meaning tour manager) pulled the officer off stage. “I know that this guy knows this case is out there.”
A contact at ICP’s management was unaware of the lawsuit when contacted by Pollstar.