Grammy-award winner Eminem agreed to pay a Warren, Mich., man $100,000 in settlement of a civil lawsuit that claimed the rapper inflicted intentional and emotional stress on the man in a fight outside a bar in June 2000.
Attorneys representing John Guerra and Eminem, born Marshall Mathers III, agreed to the settlement during mediation, said John Gaber, an attorney representing Guerra.
Gaber said Tuesday his client decided to accept the settlement to avoid the risks of a jury trial.
“When you present a case to a jury, God only know what will happen,” he said. “Typically, mediation means the plaintiff gets less than he wanted and the defendant pays more than he wanted.”
The argument between the two men began June 4, 2000, in front of Hot Rock Sports Bar and Music Cafe in Warren. Gaber claimed that Eminem assaulted him after he kissed the rapper’s then-wife, Kimberly Mathers.
In his civil suit, Guerra said Eminem hit him in the head and face. He said Eminem twice told him, “I’m going to kill you,” as they struggled for control of an unloaded gun that Eminem allegedly pointed at Guerra. Guerra also sought damages for emotional distress.
Peter Peacock, an attorney for Eminem, said Guerra’s injuries were a product of his actions that night. Peacock said Tuesday the settlement “resolves the case … although it is certainly more than Guerra deserves.”
Gaber said he and Peacock have not determined when Guerra will receive the settlement. But Gaber said he plans to dismiss the civil case once he does, which should be within two weeks.
Dennis Dennehy, Eminem’s publicist at Interscope, Geffen and A&M Records, declined to comment about the settlement.
Eminem, a Clinton Township, Mich., resident, received a 2-year probation from criminal charges that stemmed from the incident.
“He is doing well on probation and working hard,” said attorney Howard Hertz, who represented Eminem in the criminal charges.
Eminem’s new album titled The Eminem Show is scheduled to be released June 4. His movie, “8 Mile,” is set to premiere in November, Dennehy said. He has sold 16 million albums worldwide and has won five Grammy awards, including Best Rap Album in 2000.