Shakira has dodged an expensive legal battle after a judge dismissed a lawsuit filed against the singer.
According to NBC Miami, a Florida judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by 80-year-old California resident David Kourosh Rashidian, aka Hamid Rashidian. The plaintiff sued Shakira earlier this year for breach of contract, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent misrepresentation; however, the singer’s lawyer argued that Rashidan never spoke to his client directly, and was apparently scammed by a Shakira impersonator.
The complaint, filed in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, states Rashidan began communicating with the purported impersonator on Facebook in 2023. The plaintiff said he gave Shakira more than $140,000 for her participation in his book project and to "perform 100 concerts around the world." Rashidan claimed those payments covered Shakira’s hotel stays, airfare, hospital expenses for her mom, "and other personal matters."
"Despite repeated assurances, you have failed to honor the terms of our agreement," read the complaint, reviewed by Complex. "Recently, you contacted me in Cuba, claiming to need $3,500 for emergency travel expenses, which I provided. Upon your return to the United States, you refused to meet with me as agreed to discuss the book and concert arrangements, further breaching the contract."
The legal document included screenshots of text exchanges and Facebook DMs between Rashidian and the individual he believed to be Shakira. The plaintiff also attached a copy of the 2023 contract, proof of airline ticket purchases, and a threatening text message he received after informing "Shakira" that he would pursue legal action.
Rashidian sought punitive and exemplary damages, as well as general damages in the amount of $100,000,000 proof at trial. He also asked the court for an injunction to prohibit the defendant from "making further defamatory statements or engaging in harassment."
According to NBC Miami, Shakira’s lawyer, Jose Becerra, asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit because no summons was ever served, the amended complaint was not presented to the defendant, and "the process server did not inform the recipient of the contents of the documents."
Rashidian and his attorney also failed to appear for Thursday’s (October 23) court hearing.
"If I may just add, your honor, what we have here is a case of impersonation," Becerra told the judge. "Someone impersonating the defendant... seemingly had interactions with this plaintiff. I would submit that as exactly what we would prove if the case were to proceed, and I surmise that's why we received an email last night from the plaintiff indicating his intention to drop the case.
"In any event, given the substantial amount of time that plaintiff has had to serve, coupled with his failure to file any motion for extensions of time, I would respectfully ask the court to grant the motion and dismiss the case with prejudice."
