Jennifer Lopez’s former personal driver, Hakob Manoukian, is suing the singer-actress, saying her manager humiliated him and destroyed his career, TMZ is reporting. Manoukian stated in the lawsuit that he began driving the ‘American Idol’ singer and her estranged husband, Marc Anthony, in 2005.
Manoukian also claimed that he became so close with Lopez and Anthony that they convinced him to shut down his company. He began working exclusively as Lopez’s personal Head of Security and Transportation. She even reportedly agreed to pay him more than $200,000 per year.
But their relationship reportedly began to suffer last year when Manoukian claimed he was forced to spend time with Lopez’s manager, Benny Medina, when she was filming the upcoming comedy ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting.’ He said Medina hated him from when he was first hired, and would criticize him for the way he dressed and for his accent.
Manoukian added that Medina would also curse at him in public, and convinced Lopez to demote him. His security responsibilities were taken away, and he was left to only drive Lopez in Los Angeles.
Claiming he was forced to resign, Manoukian is suing Lopez and Medina for unspecified damages. Medina said that Manoukina is just a disgruntled employee who chose to quit. Lopez has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.
Written by: Karen Benardello
