Metallica Drummer Sued By Former Assistant
The former personal assistant of Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich is suing his old employer for unpaid overtime and bonuses.
Steven Wiig, who worked for Ulrich from 2001-2009, claims he worked 70 hours a week while the stickman was in Marin, CA and up to 80 hours a week while Metallica was on tour. According to the Marin Independent Journal, Wiig filed the suit at Marin Superior Court seeking unspecified damages for alleged state and federal labor violations and breach of oral contract. Wiig says he did all kinds of jobs for Ulrich, including being his chauffeur, managing his personal art collection, scheduling appointments and countless other tasks.
Wiig claims he was paid $45,000 a year and promised annual bonuses. He says he was not paid bonuses in 2006 and 2008, was not compensated for overtime when he quit in 2009, and only received a $20,000 bonus last December.
"Wiig was essentially on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week," his lawyers, Alan Harris and David Zelenski, said in the complaint.
Unsurprisingly, Ulrich's lawyer disputes the lawsuit.
Peter Paterno released a statement saying Wiig was paid $110,000 a year before bonuses and received free rent and a car.
"Lars' accountant is checking on 2006, but Steve got bonuses in every other year of his employment, deserved or not," said Paterno. "Specifically, in 2008, he received an extra $18,000. So it's not clear what's motivating this, but it really doesn't seem to be about his compensation, does it?
A hearing is scheduled June 24 at the Marin Superior Court.
More From 97.9 WGRD
