Prince denies telling bodyguard to hit student

Man suing singer, guard over airport confrontation

updated 11:06 a.m. ET June 16, 2004

MINNEAPOLIS - Prince is denying allegations that he instructed his bodyguard to assault a college student who took the musician’s photo at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Prince filed a counterclaim Monday in Hennepin County District Court, alleging the student invaded his privacy and violated trademark and copyright law.

Anthony Fitzgerald of Edina sued Prince and his bodyguard in April for damages of at least $50,000. Fitzgerald claims he was assaulted at the airport Dec. 29 and that his new digital camera was confiscated when he took a photo of Prince as the rock star was getting off a plane.

Story continues below ↓

Prince’s countersuit also seeks at least $50,000 in damages.

“His (Fitzgerald’s) claim has no legal basis and we will be fighting this in court,” Prince’s lawyer, Kristen Naros, told the Star-Tribune.

Fitzgerald’s attorney, Kari Berman, also called Prince’s counterclaim baseless.

“He is a public figure walking through a public airport. There’s no expectation of privacy, and he knows it,” Berman said.