AP Photo/Mel Melcon, poolA double whammy for Snoop Dogg.
Trial kicked off today in Los Angeles in a civil case accusing the rapper and his posse of beating down a fan. If that wasn't bad enough, the Doggfather was outed as a tax dodger by state officials, who confirmed that a lien had been put on his SoCal homebase.
First, the lawsuit. Lawyers for Richard Monroe Jr., who filed suit against Snoop in April 2006 for assault, battery, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress, began their opening statements by playing a video of the alleged incident to jurors.
The Kent, Wash., native claims he sustained serious injuries after hopping onstage during the rapper's rendition of "Gin and Juice" during a May 2005 gig in Seattle.
According to court documents, Monroe thought he had an "open invite" to join Snoop onstage, but instead of being greeted with open arms, he found himself tackled by the hip-hopster's bodyguards and rappers, including The Game, Kurupt, Soopafly and Daz Dillinger. Monroe says he was repeatedly punched and kicked until he lost consciousness. When he came to, his diamond-studded earrings, watch and wallet were supposedly MIA.
The 25-year-old plaintiff, who was treated at a nearby hospital for a broken nose, a busted lip, black eyes and bruised ribs, is seeking $22 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
Snoop's camp has previously said that anyone who jumps onstage is viewed "as a security threat" and, as a result, "authorities are forced to take the proper measures to ensure safety."
Meanwhile, the California Franchise Tax Board says that the hip-hopster otherwise known as Calvin Broadus Jr. hasn't been heeding the tax man.
Officials say he owes the state $284,053 in back taxes and that a lien has been put on his home. He joins a list of Cali's tax-averse celebs that also includes Dionne Warwick, Burt Reynolds and Sinbad.