Ex-Makeup Co. CEO Claims Kardashians Breached Contract

Law360 (September 26, 2017) The former CEO of the Kardashian family’s makeup company has sued the television celebrities and their business partner Hillair Capital Management LLC in California state court, alleging they fired him and refused to hand over his stake in the company, which he claims is worth up to $32 million. Former Haven Beauty Inc. CEO John C. LaBonty claims in a Sept. 20 complaint that Hillair Capital and the Kardashians promised him a 5 percent to 9 percent stake in the new makeup company, which was formed after another Kardashian-affiliated makeup company, Boldface Group Inc., became insolvent and was forced to restructure. Months after the new entity was formed, Hillair Capital fired LaBonty, taking direction from the Kardashians and their personal attorney Todd Wilson, and then refused to hand over his owed equity in the company, the suit alleges. The suit seeks at least $6 million, and up to $32 million in damages, plus the costs of filing suit. LaBonty is represented by Scott J. Leipzig of Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP.