Conor McGregor Legal Team Made A Motion To Dismiss Michael Chiesa Allegations Of Negligence And Infliction Of Emotional Distress
Conor McGregor wrecked the whole UFC 223 event due to his hooligan bus attack. The day before, Conor’s teammate, Artem Lobov, had a minor altercation with an undefeated Lightweight fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov. The next day, Conor stormed Barclays Center loading dock, searching for Khabib to revenge. When he found out the Dagestani is in the bus, he threw a metal dolly at its window and broke the glass into pieces.
Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg had to withdraw from UFC 223 fight card due to face lacerations. Conor was arrested later that day but his legal team reached a plea deal to avoid jail time in July of this year.
Michael Chiesa filed a lawsuit against Conor McGregor in September of this year. “The Notorious” was charged for assault, battery, negligence, and infliction of emotional distress. McGregor’s lawyer James M. Catterson made actions to dismiss the case in New York State Supreme Court, Kings County, on November 30th, 2018. TMZ reported the news first.
Catterson claims the attack was not targeted against Michael Chiesa. It means the injuries “The Maverick” sustained cannot be intentional. McGregor’s lawyer states Chiesa can only sue Conor McGregor for battery and assault. Yet, he believes there is no possibility of claiming infliction of emotional distress or negligence. According to James Catterson, McGregor’s actions were “unquestionably inappropriate”, but not “outrageous”. (h/t MMAFighting.com)
“While the conduct alleged in the complaint is unquestionably inappropriate, it does not approach the rigorous standard of outrageousness as defined by New York courts, therefore further supporting the dismissal of the intentional infliction of emotional distress claim,” said the attorney, who works for Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP after a stint as a judge on New York’s state appeals court.
James Catterson also added that Chiesa’s lawsuit didn’t include any proof to support alleged emotional injuries.
“Chiesa, a seasoned combat sports fighter, fails to plead any allegations containing even a scintilla of factual specificity regarding the alleged emotional distress,” Catterson wrote. “The two emotional distress causes of action allege only that Defendants ‘caused severe emotion distress, mental trauma, and/or bodily harm to the plaintiff.’
“The complaint contains no other information supporting these alleged emotional injuries. These boilerplate, unsubstantiated allegations do not adequately plead a claim for emotional distress, and therefore Chiesa’s intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress claims must be dismissed.”
Catterson doesn’t plan to ask for dismissing battery and assault charges.
Chiesa also sued Barclays Center, McGregor Sports and Entertainment (Conor McGregor promotional company), and McGregor’s cohorts. James Catterson wrote that the charges against Sports and Entertainment should be dismissed. According to Catterson, Irishman’s promotional company doesn’t fall under the jurisdiction of New York.
Michael Chiesa confessed he received many threatening messages from McGregor fans after the news of his legal actions was published. Even his girlfriend and mom were under attack.
“I’m gonna tread lightly with this, obviously I can’t say a whole lot. But it just has not been good,” Chiesa said. “Even my girlfriend and my mom get messages and comments. They’re not a part of this and it’s kind of a shame when — my mom’s a sensitive lady and I do my best to protect her and stuff. And when she tells me about some of the mean things that are getting sent her way it’s really, it’s a shame.”
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think Conor McGregor’s legal team would win this battle? How much money will Conor lose?
