(Trinidad Express) An emergency hearing before a judge around mid-night on Saturday’s Indian Arrival Day holiday followed the arrest of entertainer Keith “Anthony B” Blair, after a performance at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.
Justice Andre Des Vignes issued the arrest warrant for the Jamaican reggae singer after promoter Barry Lewis claimed he owed him money and Lewis’s attorneys filed an application for a fugae warrant under the Absconding Debtors Act. The judge ordered that court marshals immediately arrest Blair.
In court documents Lewis of St James, claimed that Blair had failed to perform at a concert on Independence Day 2013. The documents said Lewis had entered into an agreement between one of Blair’s booking agents for Blair to perform at the concert in Trinidad. Lewis spent $73,126 to secure the services for the concert’s headline performer. The amount represented the deposit for Blair’s performance and airfare for him and his representatives.
Around August 28, 2013 he informed that he could not meet his contractual obligation and Lewis hired two other performers. A video of Blair’s apology for his absence was shown to patrons at the concert.
Court documents state that Blair failed to compensate Lewis and Lewis sued Blair claiming damages for breach of contract, interest and cost.
Des Vignes issued the warrant around 11.30 p.m. and Blair was later arrested. Around 4.15 a.m. yesterday the court ordered that he be released. Blair was ordered to pay Lewis US$7,000 immediately and the balance of $27,976 on or before June 30 with cost in the sum of $5,000.
Lewis was represented by attorneys Michael Rooplal and Carina Jailal. Attorney Fitzgerald Hinds appeared on Blair’s behalf.
