Indonesian promoter to sue magician Copperfield for cancellation

Oct 23, 2007, 7:01 GMT

Jakarta - Indonesian promoter Buena Productions plans to sue magician David Copperfield for cancelling scheduled shows in Jakarta, local media reported Tuesday.

The celebrity American magician cancelled shows across South-East Asia after agents from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided his Las Vegas warehouse and a casino theatre where he regularly performs after an unnamed woman accused him of raping her in the Bahamas last summer.

'This is my worst experience in show business. I don't know about other promoters, but I plan to sue him for 3 million dollars for cancelling his tour,' Peter Basuki, owner of Buena Productions, was quoted as saying by Jakarta-based Kompas online news portal.

Copperfield was scheduled to perform his 'World of Wonder' act for six nights in Jakarta starting Tuesday.

Basuki said he had contacted promoters in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore to join him in suing the magician.

'I have contacted Copperfield's agents and lawyers, but they said he is missing and difficult to reach,' Basuki said, adding that his company had sold 29,000 tickets for Copperfield's Jakarta shows.

About 12 FBI agents raided the warehouse on October 18, where Copperfield stores props and memorabilia from around the world. Copperfield, 51, has been a longtime performer at the MGM Grand Casino Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.