Busta Rhymes is reportedly being sued by his former driver, David Jones, 57, for verbally abusing him and failing to pay him his salary. For two years, Jones was Busta’s driver from October 2014 to February 2016, and claims that he was constantly berated due to his age. When Jones refused to disobey traffic laws, Busta would tell him, “You drive like an old man” and “you driving your age”.
Jones’ lawyer, James Montgomery, told the New York Daily News, “It doesn’t matter how rich and famous you are, you should pay your employees what they’re owed and you’ve got no right to insult or push them around. These remarks were repeated two to three times a week, were intentionally hurtful, upset the plaintiff and injured his feelings. It’s vintage Busta. This man seems to have a problem with his temper.”
Jones’ employment came to an end one day when he failed to wash the “chosen automobile of the day”. Busta allegedly told Jones that he messed up his son’s birthday as a result. During that incident, Jones claims that Busta shoved him and threatened to dock his pay.
Jones and Busta agreed to a yearly salary of $100,000 per year, but claims he was only paid $85,753. Jones says Busta owes him over $10,000 in unpaid wages, and over $20,000 in unpaid overtime. In the suit, Jones is also asking for $12,000 that Busta made him pay out of his own pocket to substitute drivers when he needed a break from his 15-hour workday.
Jones is seeking $236,064 in monetary damages and legal fees.
