Bieber's Arrest Delays Case In Previous South Florida Suit
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Pop star Justin Bieber's arrest on Miami Beach for drag racing and DUI has led to a setback in another South Florida court case he's involved in.
Last June, photographer Jeffrey Binion slapped a suit on the Biebs after he claims he was roughed up by one his bodyguards under the singer's orders.
Thursday morning Miami-Dade Judge Sarah Zabel refused a request by Bieber's attorney for an "emergency" hearing to dismiss the lawsuit, saying she has previously ruled the suit will go forward.
Bieber was under court order to be in California on Thursday to be deposed on video for Binion's suit.
"He has demonstrated a pattern of dangerous, reckless behavior. He is a threat to public safety," said Binion's attorney Mark Dicowden who was cooling his heels in California.
The deposition will now have to be reset.
Binion, who is suing for $15,000, claims he was assaulted while snapping pictures of Bieber outside of The Hit Factory recording studio in North Miami Beach. Binion said he had his camera card taken from him as well.
"They were making fun of the whole situation, while they were holding my camera, while I was pleading for my pictures because I have pictures there that are priceless," said Binion.
Binion's lawsuit claims Bieber "Directed [Hugo] Hesny and three other bodyguards to confront [Binion] and to forcibly take the memory card from [his] camera."
Hesny reportedly "Threw [Binion] against a wall, began choking him, and threatened [him] with a gun..."
The complaint also says Hesny is not licensed to work as a bodyguard or carry a gun in the state of Florida.
Read The Lawsuit Filed Against Bieber
Bieber, 19, was arrested on Thursday at 4:09 a.m. after he and another man were reportedly caught drag racing a Ferrari and a Lamborghini on Pine Tree Drive.
According to the police report, once at the Miami Beach Police Department, officers noticed Bieber had a "flushed face, bloodshot eyes, and the odor of an alcoholic beverages on his breath." Police conducted a sobriety field test on "a flat, dry, smooth, and well lit surface" and that Bieber, "did not perform to standards," and later agreed to a breath test and drug evaluation.
"During the investigation, Bieber made a statement that he had consumed some alcohol, had been smoking marijuana and had consumed some prescription medication," said Miami Beach Police Chief Raymond.
Bieber was charged with DUI, driving with an expired license and resisting arrest without violence.
The driver of the Ferrari was also arrested. Miami Beach Police have identified him as Khalil Amir Sharieff, a singer with Def Jam Records.
Justin Bieber Arrested For Drag Racing, DUI On Miami Beach
On Monday, the 'Biebs' made headlines in Miami after he reportedly made it rain at a Miami Beach strip club. TMZ reported that Bieber was spotted earlier in the evening at Mansion nightclub on South Beach. Then he went to the King of Diamonds strip club.
Justin Bieber Makes It Rain At Miami Strip Club
The club's manager, Disco Rick, told WINZ radio that Bieber was at the club, but was served no alcohol, and stayed in a VIP room.
The manager said Bieber stuffed wads of $100 bills into the hands of numerous unclothed coquettes.
Bieber's visit to South Florida has also led to an investigation in the city of Opa-locka where officials are investigating the unauthorized police escort given to Bieber Monday night by two of the department's marked squad cars.
Opa-locka Assistant City Manager David Chiverton confirmed the questionable escort to CBS4.
"This escort that was done for Justin Bieber was unauthorized. We have spoken to our police administration and they are investigating the matter," Chiverton said.
Cops Give Justin Bieber Lawless Escort
Just last week, investigators in California searched Bieber's home in Calabasas during a search for evidence that the pop star was involved in an egg-tossing vandalism case that caused thousands of dollars in damage to a neighbor's home.
Bieber was at the home and cooperated with authorities but was not interviewed by detectives.
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