D&A's Barbara Kramer Sues Designer Duarte
Barbara Kramer, co-producer of the popular Designers & Agents apparel shows in Los Angeles and New York, has filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles designer Henry Duarte. She is seeking more than $1 million in damages over a business venture the pair was involved in several years ago.
Kramer filed a complaint on Aug. 9 in Los Angeles Superior Court charging Duarte and his Duarte Productions Inc. with fraud and breach of contract over a $50,000 settlement Kramer paid to former landlord John C. Janneck, who rented Duarte and Kramer retail space on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles in 2001.
Kramer’s attorney, Lloyd S. Mann of the Sherman Oaks, Calif.–based firm Mann & Zarpas LLP, said the payment resulted from a settlement in a lawsuit Janneck had filed against Kramer and Duarte. Mann said that Duarte failed to pay rent and fees on Janneck’s property for several months and that Kramer was unaware of the delinquency.
According to Kramer’s lawsuit, Duarte agreed to indemnify Kramer over the Janneck settlement but never reimbursed her. The total claim was for about $93,000. In addition, Kramer is seeking reimbursements for loans she provided to Duarte, which Duarte disputed as being investments rather than loans. Kramer is seeking the initial $50,000 she paid to Janneck, as well as more than $1 million for loans and other damages.
Duarte was not available for comment on the case. His attorney in the Janneck case, Gregory Hall, said he no longer represented him.
This isn’t the first time Duarte has been involved in a legal dispute. He recently settled a lawsuit with former partner Shawn Karama of Minkvox Corp. over the use of Duarte’s name in a previous venture between the two parties.
—Robert McAllister
