Manager of Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am charged with assaulting celebrity blogger Perez Hilton

By Lizzie Smith
Last updated at 12:42 PM on 23rd June 2009

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The manager of Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am has been charged with the alleged assault of Hollywood gossip blogger Perez Hilton.

Perez, real name Mario Lavandeira, claims he was attacked by Liborio 'Polo' Molina outside the Cobra nightclub following the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada on Sunday night.

Molina, 36, turned himself into police and was charged with one count of assault before being released to appear in court on August 5.

Perez took to micro-blogging site Twitter about the alleged attack within moments, writing: 'I was assaulted by Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas and his security guards. I am bleeding. Please, I need to file a police report. No joke.'
Rant: Perez Hilton describes how he was allegedly hit in the face by Will.i.am's manager after the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada

Rant: Perez Hilton describes how he was allegedly hit in the face by Will.i.am's manager after the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada

Hours later, the rapper set up his own Twitter account and put his side of the story across.

'Perez Hilton is a liar,' he said in one Tweet, then filmed a short video clip to further deny the assault claims.


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'I hit you Perez? Come on dude! I didn't hit you,' he said.

'Instead of calling police, you Twittered that I assaulted you. Sounds like somebody wants mad attention.'

He added: 'They are lies. Shame on you. Shame on your behaviour. That's just messed up.'
Reply: Will.i.am accused Perez of lying about the assault

Reply: Will.i.am accused Perez of lying about the assault

Will.i.am, real name William Adams, said the argument started when his bandmate Fergie asked Perez, 'Hey, do you have a problem with me?'

Perez was said to have responded: 'No, I just don't like your record.'

Perez has frequently criticised Fergie's fashion sense on his blog, labelling her 'fugly', which mean 'f**king ugly', and has slammed the Black Eyed Peas' latest album The E.N.D. and track Boom Boom Pow.

Later that evening, Will.i.am allegedly approached Perez outside the Cobra club, telling him 'never write things about my band on your website again'.

Perez admitted he hit back with several slurs: 'I told him, "And you know what, I don't need to respect you. And you're a f**got. You're gay and stop being such a f**got.'

After seeing Will.i.am's video, Perez responded with a video of his own.

Showing off what looked like a black eye he claimed that after a number of run-ins with Will.i.am throughout the night, he was assaulted by the star's manager Mario.

'What happened to me in Toronto happened to me as a human being and it should never happen to anyone,' he said.
On the night of the alleged attack Perez seemed in a good mood as he posed on the red carpet of the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto

On the night of the alleged attack Perez seemed in a good mood as he posed on the red carpet of the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto
Enlarge Perez Hilton
Enlarge Perez Hilton

Upset: With his black eye (L) on show Perez explained what he claimed happened

He continued: 'Nothing like this has ever happened before. It is unacceptable.

'It was not a random fan that hit me. You're a f**king liar. You're shameful, you're disgusting, you're a coward.'

He then broke down in tears as he ended the video.

In another video, Perez hits out at the group as a whole.

He said: 'I have lost all respect for all of you and the Black Eyed Peas. And Fergie, youre fugly.'

Perez's claims were clear to see in his Twitter posts.

'I'm in shock. I need the police ASAP,' his first read, soon adding: 'I spoke to my lawyer. I really need to talk to the authorities.'
Twitter: Perez used the social networking site to update his fans on the situation

Twitter: Perez used the social networking site to update his fans on the situation

Within the hour he wrote: 'The Toronto police are here now. Thank you. Please stop calling them.'

A later Tweet stated: 'Thank u all from the bottom of my heart for ur concern. The police are investigating the assault now.

'I did the right thing by reporting it.'

American Idol singer Kelly Clarkson, who was in Toronto for the awards, suggested many celebrities would be pleased to hear about the incident.

She told Kiss Radio: 'Ive gotta be honest with you, hes going to get a lot of flowers. Im not talking about Perez, I mean the manager.

'Im not saying that violence is the answer, but what did you expect? You cant say that much c**p about people and not be able to take something.'
The Black Eyed Peas pose on the red carpet at the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto

Feud: The Black Eyed Peas (L-R) Apl.de.Ap, Fergie, Taboo and Will.I.Am, pictured arriving at the MuchMusic Awards have been frequently criticised on Perez's blog