Lawsuit filed by Luis Miguel’s former manager is no longer in El Paso court

A multi-million lawsuit filed by an El Paso businessman against Mexican singer Luis Miguel is no longer assigned to an El Paso judge.

In the lawsuit filed in February, El Pasoan William Brockhaus alleged he was Luis Miguel’s manager and the idol owes him $2.1 million for services rendered.

Two months after the suit was filed in El Paso, the case was transferred to a New York court since that’s where the employment contract originated and it states disputes must be resolved in that state.

Court documents show a close personal friendship that turned professional business, then became a sour dispute.

In the lawsuit, Brockhaus said he met Luis Miguel in 1997 at the Camino Real hotel in downtown El Paso after a concert. Brockhaus’ wife and Luis Miguel — whose real name is Luis Miguel Gallego Basteri — had been lifelong friends. Since then, the lawsuit states, Brockhaus and Luis Miguel “would regularly travel together including meeting annually for most New Year’s Eve and birthday celebrations.” The suit states the two traveled with their families to Las Vegas, Disneyland, Acapulco, Dominican Republic and Cabo San Lucas, among other places.

“When (Luis Miguel) visited El Paso, he would regularly visit (Brockhaus’) residence” and the singer knew Brockhaus had an office and worked in El Paso.

At one point, they negotiated a management services agreement, Brockhaus said he quit his job of 22 years and began working exclusively for Luis Miguel in 2012, according to the suit.

The agreement, attached to the lawsuit, was for two years and said Brockhaus would receive 10 percent of any gross income earned by Luis Miguel.

During that time, from performances in El Paso and San Antonio, Dallas and Austin, Luis Miguel earned more than $1.6 million, which Brockhaus negotiated with the buyer and promoters in his El Paso office and at Mesa Street Bar & Grill, primarily via email and phone, stated the suit. These were part of Luis Miguel’s “Hits Tour” in 2013 which was awarded Tour of the Year by Latin Billboard, according to the document.

“The negotiations, booking, promotions and advertising on behalf of and for (Luis Miguel) were performed in whole or in part in El Paso, Texas with the express knowledge and consent of (Luis Miguel),” read the suit.

Luis Miguel’s successful career began when he was 12 years old, according to his official biography. He won his first Grammy when he was 15, and went on to win 4 more, in addition to 4 Latin Grammys. He has earned worldwide acclaim.

Brockhaus was the only one who had the user names and passwords to the singer’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, according to an email from a representative of Luis Miguel who demanded Brockhaus release him the information. The email was introduced to support the El Pasoan’s case.

By February 2014, Brockhaus said he was owed $2.1 million for services provided. Brockhaus claims he had contact with Luis Miguel’s representatives to terminate the contract and pay him in full, but months later he had not received payment. The suit came a year later.

In May, Luis Miguel’s attorney filed a response.

In it, the singer admits Brockhaus performed some services for him for the “Hits Tour.” He admits the personal relationship with the Brockhaus family, their regular trips and visits to the El Paso home.

However, Luis Miguel denies that Brockhaus “generally ‘booked’ or ‘promoted’ shows.” He does say his representative discussed terminating the agreement with Brockhaus and discussed a settlement to sever the contract, and a proposed agreement was prepared. Luis Miguel denies Brockhaus is owed $2.1 million.

No trial date has been set for the case, though a pre-trial meeting is scheduled for December.

Luis Miguel is scheduled to perform in El Paso this fall. For information on the event, click here.