Mariah Carey sues her ex-assistant.
Mariah Carey is suing her former personal assistant, Lianna Azarian, for allegedly filming personal videos of her, then attempting to blackmail her with him. Court documents obtained by PEOPLE, have revealed that Azarian, also known as Lianna Shakhnazarian, worked for Carey from 2015 through November 2017. Carey is suing her for extortion, invasion of privacy, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty.
The lawsuit states, “Azarian, without Mariah’s knowledge or permission, secretly filmed Mariah engaged in personal activities which, if revealed, Azarian knew would be personally embarrassing and professionally damaging to Mariah.” In addition, Azarian “displayed the intimate videos to her friends and co-workers.” Azarian reportedly told her friends that if she was ever fired she would sell the videos.
Carey says she paid Azarian up to $327,000 a year,A but fired her in November 2017. At that point, the blackmail began – Azarian threatened to release the videos and other private information unless Carey paid her $8 million. Carey also alleges that while Azarian was working for her she used her credit card to make personal purchases, telling retailers that she was shopping for the “Heartbreaker” singer to get discounts.
A rep for Carey released the following statement to PEOPLE, “This new year welcomes Mariah’s continued efforts to clean the trash from her life. According to a complaint filed today in California, an executive assistant employed in 2015 to help with business and personal matters, turned out to be a grifter and extortionist.”
“Because her threats and bad acts are too great to be ignored. Mariah has been compelled to file a lawsuit against her. Given that the evidence against this former assistant is vast and deplorable, we anticipate a victorious resolution. Mariah continues her streak of success this year with an upcoming North American tour and return to Vegas.”
Carey has asked for the videos and other evidence of criminal activity but to no avail. She is seeking $3 million in damages.
