'Bully’ Sean Connery sued for $30 million


The Associated Press
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7014241/
NEW YORK -
A downstairs neighbor of debonaire James Bond actor Sean Connery has filed a $30 million lawsuit alleging he’s a bully who’s trying to force the family out of the townhouse they share.

“Notwithstanding the cinematic James Bond image of consummate finesse, the defendant Connery, in true Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde fashion, acts the part in real life of a bully who ignores norms of neighborliness and decency,” the court papers say.

Dr. Burton Sultan, an ophthalmologist, lives with his wife and daughters on the lower four floors of a six-story Tudor townhouse, built in 1869, on Manhattan’s East Side. Connery and his wife live on the top two floors.

Court papers claims the Connerys’ renovations, which began in September 2001, are a source of constant noise, foul fumes, water leaks and a rat infestation. The lawsuit claims damage to the Sultans’ home extended to their collection of Victorian and early 20th century wicker furniture.

The lawsuit also claims the famous upstairs neighbor is harassing the Sultans “by playing loud music at all hours and stomping about.” On April 7, 2002, one of the Sultans’ daughters knocked on Connery’s door and requested quiet.

“Connery’s appearance and behavior was that of a rude, foul-mouthed, fat old man,” court papers say. “Cursing and otherwise using indecent language Connery demeaned Marla’s father, refused to lower the noise and slammed the door in her face.”

The court papers say the Connerys also owe $15,747 in maintenance and utility payments — another ploy “to harass the Sultans into leaving their home.”

The lawsuit includes a letter, purportedly from the Connerys’ lawyer, Robert P. Lynn Jr., stating: “I think if we tie him up in several lawsuits, hopefully this will either permanently subdue him or drive him out of the building.”

Lynn did not return telephone calls seeking comment.

Late last year Connery, who gained fame as Agent 007 in the Bond films, placed 13th on a British magazine’s poll of the greatest living movie stars over age 50.

Sean Connery is dreamy

refering to him as "fat" really shows that their dislike of him is objective and based only on the nuisances' he creates as a neighbor.

its obviously nothing personal.

Is his downstairs neighbor Alex Trebek?

Am I the only one that finds it a little sad that people with this much money have to share a house with other people? If I was that rich, I wouldn't have neighbors for mile because, well, I hate people.

That's the first thing I thought of when I read the title of this thread

Connery: "I'll take famous titties for 200"

Trebek: "That's famous titles"

Connery:"Not a fan of the ladies, are you Trebek?"

None of this is worth $30 million, and how'd he get a letter from Connery's lawyer anyway? Is he stealing his mail?

He keeps me up at night....My sleep is worth 30 million

If they live on the bottom, can't they fuck with him right back? The water, electricity, gas, phone, & cable all have to go through their part of the house.

Seriously, $30 million, for being a jackass? I lived next to jackasses for years, no one even hinted that I was due any money. Just call the fucking police.

Lastly, how do renovations CAUSE rat infestations. It should flush them out. If they're in your house now, they've always been there, they're just freaked out by the noise.

I was kind of wondering about that myself.

it's because of the huge dumpsters they have out front of the buildings for the renovation projects.....They attract them for some reason..same thing happened on our street last summer

Yeah, it's the dumpsters!!

Courts don't entertain tort claims unless there's a case to be heard. If the award is outlandish, or trivial, these cases can always (and most often do) be appealed. I find it hard to believe anyone would make such a huge accusation without substance. $30m is excessive, but you start out excessive, so that you might end up with something more reasonable. If the apartment has been damaged etc, I don't doubt that an apartment in that area of New York would incur significant financial expenditure to restore, and loss relating to resale value. Has the property market slumped during the time in question? A few million in damages could be reasonable. It depends on the details though.

Who knows. There might be a legitimate case here. The worrying thing is the response from Connery's spokesperson which I saw in the SMH to the effect that "Sean Connery does not own any property in New York". If that's the case, then this whole thing really is a bit of a farce.

But notice he says "Sean Connery does not own any property..." (present tense)... not Sean Connery has never owned any property in New York (past).

poor sean connery, sounds like his neighbours an asshole.

"I'll take 'The Rapists" for $300, Alex."



--PunkDavid

Anal Bum Cover?

That's not always true. I have friends who live next to a deranged lunatic (seriously, she might have undiagnosed mental health issues) who has filed lawsuits against them for things that are far from true. The court sure seems to be entertaining them just fine.