Lady Gaga Takes Six-Hour Deposition for Lawsuit Filed by Ex-Assistant, ‘Case is Strong’ Claims Prosecutor
As a result of a lawsuit filed by Lady Gaga's former personal assistant, Jennifer O'Neill, Gaga made a courtroom appearance for a six-hour videotaped deposition on Aug. 6.
O'Neill claims Gaga's Mermaid Touring Company owes her $380,000 in unpaid overtime.
The pop sensation, formally known as Stefani Germanotta, is being accused of giving her assistant no breaks for meals or "even sleep," and O'Neill claims she was required to do "spontaneous, random matters in the middle of the night" for Gaga, according to Celebuzz.
"I have been very pleased with the outcome of discovery thus far," O'Neill's attorney, Paul Millus, of the law firm Snitow, Kanfer, Holtzer and Millus, told Celebuzz. "Just by her (Gaga's) responses, I believe our case is strong."
O'Neill, 41, says she worked for the "Born This Way" singer for 13 months and did everything she was told including "ensuring the promptness of a towel following a shower and serving as a personal alarm clock to keep (Gaga) on schedule." O'Neill alleges she was on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, leaving no time for "breaks, for meals, or otherwise... even sleep."
According to court documents, O'Neill estimates she worked 7,168 hours of unpaid overtime. Her base salary was $75,000.
Millus, the ex-assistant's attorney, believes he has a strong case that will make it to trial.
"At this point, there's nothing to stop it from going to trial," he said to Celebuzz, adding that if that happened, the singer/performer would be required to take to the witness stand.
"She absolutely will," he said, adding: "Lady Gaga and Jennifer knew each other as friends before they worked together professionally. Anytime there's litigation that may have a more personal element, they may be more difficult to resolve."
Millus said his client is not trying to defame Gaga's character; she just wants to be paid the money he said she rightfully deserves.
"Jennifer's motivation is pure and simple - to obtain payment for hours worked," he said. "It doesn't matter if you work for a star or it's glamorous. Work is work."
