According to the New York Post, two members of the renowned hardcore band the CRO-MAGS are suing Harley Flanagan, the group’s founder over an incident in New York City on July 6 last year when Harley allegedly attacked the musicians during the CBGB festival.
Michael Couls and William Berardo are suing the ex-bassist in civil court, claiming that he slashed Berardo in the left eye with a five-inch hunting knife and bit Couls’ arm. Also named in the lawsuit is the East Village venue Webster Hall where the event was held. Flanagan was initially charged with felony assault and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the incident, but those charges were eventually dropped.
The Manhattan Supreme Court suit alleges the following: “The uninvited defendant, Harley Flanagan, gained access to the VIP area because the hall failed to hire sufficiently trained security personal to protect the plaintiffs.”
In an interview with the New York Natives last year, Flanagan claimed that he was invited to the Webster Hall gig and had a VIP pass which he used to enter the venue. He said he went there with “the best of intentions” hoping to mend years of bickering and make the fans happy. After he was invited to the backstage dressing room, he said that instead of being welcomed, as he expected to be, he was jumped by a group of men.