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Boy Band Suit Alleges Teen Temptations
Apr 23, 2002 1:00 pm US/Eastern
http://1010wins.com/StoryFolder/story_34371883_html
NEW YORK (AP) -- Ahh, the temptations of being in a boy band.
There's booze, and women, and pornography, and unscrupulous management -- at least according to a lawsuit filed by the parents of teen pop sensations Dream Street.
The suit, filed in state Supreme Court in Manhattan, alleged that band co-creators Louis Baldonieri and Brian Lukow "have engaged in a wide range of conduct and activities that plainly threaten and impair the minors' well-being," according to an affidavit from band manager John Stuart.
Baldonieri and Lukow denied the charges, with Baldonieri saying the parents were the ones setting a bad example.
The adults were "teaching kids you can sign anything, then lie, cheat and defame people for your benefit," Baldonieri said. The lawsuit seeks back pay and the release of the band from its current contract.
Baldonieri said the parents were trying to make a financial killing now that the five-member band has become popular.
In their suit, the parents said they were just trying to protect the youths. Stuart, in his affidavit, said the executives encouraged the teens "to have sexual relations with teen-age girls" and offered them liquor.
Two members of the band received pornographic e-mails from a band investor, the court papers alleged. And the mothers of the band members alleged that they were insulted as "dumb housewives" by the executives in front of their sons.
The members of Dream Street run from age 15 to 17. Their debut album contained the hit singles "It Happens Everytime" and "I Say Yeah."