Former manager sues the Killers

updated 9:32 p.m. ET Feb. 22, 2006

LAS VEGAS - The former manager of the rock group The Killers has filed a federal lawsuit against the band members and their lawyer, seeking $16 million for what he calls breach of contract.

Braden Merrick of Los Angeles alleges in the suit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas that he was fired last May, once the Las Vegas-based band gained success.

“As soon as he made them superstars they decided to stop paying him,” Howard King, Merrick’s Los Angeles lawyer, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “He’s entitled to a percentage of their income for his services as a manager and a producer.”

Merrick’s contract was to have run through 2007, his lawyer said. The two sides had been negotiating a settlement before the lawsuit was filed.

The band’s lawyer, Robert Reynolds, said he and band members Brandon Flowers, Ronnie Vannucci Jr., Dave Keuning and Mark Stoermer were surprised by the lawsuit.

“The only statement the band would like to make at this time is that the claims alleged by Mr. Merrick are absolutely meritless and we intend to defend this action vigorously,” Reynolds said.

The one-time garage band, formed in 2002, signed with Island Def Jam Records and had a hit with its first release “Hot Fuss.” It sold more than 6 million copies, according to the lawsuit. The Grammy-nominated band recently began recording a second album.

MORE FROM MORE NEWS AND OTHER FEATURES

Newsweek: The best albums of the decade

Newsweek: The best albums of the decade Review: Solid Brown CD can’t escape scandal French rocker Hallyday undergoes surgery Weezer cancels tour following bus crash Irish folk pioneer Liam Clancy dies Rock Hall of Fame annex in New York closing Beyonce leads Grammy nominees with 10 nods Adam Lambert still frozen out by ABC Eric Woolfson, of Alan Parsons Project, dies Itzhak Perlman plays to eradicate polio   Add More news and other features headlines to your news reader: