Brian M. Givens, former vice president of entertainment/talent relations at the Murphy Arts District, has filed a civil suit against El Dorado Festivals and Events, In.
Givens was terminated from employment at MAD after an arrest for public intoxication.
On Sept. 13, the owner of El Dorado Taxi told El Dorado police officers that an employee of the Griffin Restaurant called for service and instructed him to drive Givens home, giving the taxi driver Givens’ keys. The taxi driver said he helped Givens to the front door when they arrived, at which point Givens allegedly shoved the driver into his residence and stole his taxi, striking the driver with the vehicle in the process.
Givens was initially charged with public intoxication and released soon after. He was later re-arrested on the additional charges of second-degree battery, leaving the scene of an accident with injury, theft of property and robbery.
According to previous News-Times reports, Givens employment at MAD was discontinued on Sept. 14, the day after the initial public intoxication arrest.
Court documents filed by Givens on Friday allege that El Dorado Festivals and Events, Inc. (which does business as Murphy Arts District) unlawfully took his personal property in the form of his cellphone number. The filing requests a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction which would direct El Dorado Festivals and Events to return his cell number immediately.
Givens alleges that when he left rehab, he discovered his cell number had been deactivated by MAD; he alleges that they have since withheld use of the number from him. He claims that not having his cellphone number has caused irreparable harm since his business contacts know him by that phone number and, without it, he is being deprived of the ability to make a living.
An El Dorado Festivals and Events spokesperson released a prepared statement in response to the lawsuit.
“El Dorado Festivals and Events categorically denies and rejects the allegations and numerous misstatements in Mr. Givens’ filing. We look forward to the opportunity to present the facts of this matter in the appropriate forum. As this is an ongoing legal and personnel issue, EFEI will have no further comment at this time.”
Givens could not be reached for comment.
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].