Liam Payne’s Old Pal Sues Singer’s Father for $10 Million What happens when a friendship goes sour and leads to a high-profile legal battle? For Roger Nores, a former friend of the late Liam Payne, the dispute has escalated into a defamation lawsuit against the British singer’s father, Geoff Payne. The $10 million lawsuit centers around statements made by Geoff Payne that Nores claims are false and damaging to his reputation. But what exactly led to this legal showdown? Let’s dive into the details of this unfolding case.
Liam Payne’s father, Geoff Payne, is now the subject of a $10 million defamation lawsuit filed by Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores, a close friend of the late singer. Nores claims he has been wrongly blamed for Payne’s tragic death in Buenos Aires, Argentina, last year.
On October 16, 2022, the former One Direction star died after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo hotel. Nores, an American businessman, was one of the last people to see Payne alive. He was later charged with manslaughter for allegedly “abandoning [Liam] to his luck,” knowing he was struggling with multiple addictions and unable to care for himself. Judge Laura Bruniard accused Nores of failing to provide the necessary care and assistance.
Four other individuals—hotel manager Gilda Martin, hotel worker Ezequiel Pereyra, receptionist Esteban Grassi, and waiter Braian Paiz—also face charges related to Payne’s death.
Nores Claims False Statements Led to Arrest
In response to these charges, Nores is filing a lawsuit against Geoff Payne, accusing him of making “false and defamatory” statements to Buenos Aires police, which ultimately led to Nores’ arrest and the manslaughter charges. Filed in Palm Beach, Florida, Nores seeks over $10 million in damages, with any financial proceeds promised to Payne’s son, Bear.
The lawsuit demands that Geoff Payne retract and correct his statements. According to the legal documents, “Defendant Geoff’s false statements were the direct cause of the Plaintiff’s injury and damage, including harm to his reputation.”
Disputed Claims Over Liam’s Care
Nores contests Geoff Payne’s claims that he and Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, were responsible for Liam’s care. Nores maintains that while he was a close friend of Liam, he was never his caretaker and had no legal obligation to oversee his well-being.
Geoff Payne also reportedly claimed that Nores took Liam to a new psychiatrist in Florida after his previous doctor, Dr. Rohaidy, resigned. Geoff suggested that Nores misrepresented Liam’s struggles with alcohol and drugs to obtain new prescriptions. Nores, however, strongly denies this claim, stating that no such psychiatrist ever existed and calling the statement “100 percent fiction.”
Additionally, Geoff Payne alleged that Liam was “left alone” with “no phone,” and could only be contacted through Nores or Kate Cassidy. Nores counters that Liam had his own phone and was often left alone in Florida, except for a brief period when he broke it during an argument with Cassidy.
The Defamation Lawsuit Explained
Roger Nores, who was once close to Liam Payne, has filed a defamation lawsuit against the singer’s father, Geoff Payne, seeking $10 million in damages. This legal action comes in the wake of statements made by Geoff Payne, which Nores alleges were false and harmful to his reputation.
The core of the lawsuit revolves around sworn declarations Geoff Payne made to Argentine authorities regarding Liam Payne’s death. The late One Direction star tragically passed away after falling from a balcony in Buenos Aires, and Nores was one of those accused in connection with the incident. However, the statements made by Geoff Payne suggested Nores had a more significant role in Liam’s care and struggles than he actually did.
Key Points of the Lawsuit:
- False Statements: Nores claims that Geoff Payne’s declarations were not only false but also misleading, creating a distorted view of their relationship.
- Damage to Reputation: The lawsuit argues that the statements have caused severe harm to Nores’ reputation, leading to financial and personal damages.
- No Legal Duty of Care: Nores emphasizes that, despite being friends with Liam, he never had a legal obligation to take care of him, as suggested by Geoff Payne’s claims.
- Focus on Liam’s Independence: According to Nores, Liam Payne was an independent adult who made his own decisions, dismissing the idea that Nores was a caretaker.
The Financial Stakes of the Lawsuit
The $10 million amount sought in the lawsuit reflects the severe consequences Nores believes he has suffered due to the defamatory statements. Nores claims that these false accusations have significantly impacted his life, and the legal action aims to restore his name and financial standing.
Interestingly, the lawsuit also includes a stipulation that any financial recovery from the case will be donated to Liam Payne’s son, Bear. Bear, the young child Liam shared with singer Cheryl, is central to the emotional aspect of the lawsuit.
The Death of Liam Payne
Liam Payne’s tragic death has been a deeply emotional and complex event. The singer’s fall from the balcony has led to multiple charges being brought against five individuals, with Nores facing manslaughter accusations. However, the defamation lawsuit focuses on the fallout from the comments made by Geoff Payne, which continue to affect those close to Liam.
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Conclusion:
The defamation lawsuit filed by Roger Nores against Geoff Payne is a significant development in the aftermath of Liam Payne’s death. With Nores seeking $10 million in damages, this case highlights the lasting impact of public statements and the complexities of handling personal relationships amid tragedy. As this legal battle unfolds, all eyes will remain on the potential consequences for both Nores and the Payne family.
FAQ:
1. Why is Roger Nores suing Geoff Payne?
Roger Nores is suing Liam Payne’s father, Geoff Payne, for defamation, claiming false statements made about his role in Liam’s life have damaged his reputation.
2. What are the false statements in the lawsuit?
Nores alleges that Geoff Payne falsely claimed Nores had a legal duty of care toward Liam, and that he was responsible for his addictions, which Nores says is untrue.
3. How much money is Roger Nores seeking in damages?
Nores is seeking $10 million in damages for the harm caused to his reputation by the defamatory statements made by Geoff Payne.
4. Why is the lawsuit also tied to Liam Payne’s son, Bear?
The lawsuit includes a provision that any financial proceeds from the legal action will be donated to Liam Payne’s son, Bear, for his benefit.
5. What happened to Liam Payne?
Liam Payne tragically passed away in October after falling from a balcony in Buenos Aires, resulting in his death from polytrauma.
6. How is this lawsuit connected to Liam Payne’s death?
The lawsuit is a result of statements made by Geoff Payne regarding Nores’ involvement with Liam, which Nores claims were false and damaging.
