Doumanian returns fire in Allen suit
Producer claims he overpaid helmer on disputed pix
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The answer and counterclaim, filed Monday in state court in Manhattan, also allege that Doumanian stepped in to produce Allen's movies when TriStar, which had produced and financed his films, got cold feet because of the scandal and subsequent custody fight with Mia Farrow in the early 1990s. The counterclaim also alleges that Allen's "self-indulgent conduct and profligate spending" vastly increased the cost of the films.
Bert Fields, Doumanian's attorney, said, "I formed my opinion about Mr. Allen's loyalty and morality from his last courtroom battle. His behavior toward Jean and Jacqui (Safra, a financier and Doumanian's longtime companion) simply confirms what I already believed."
A statement released on Allen's behalf by PMK public relations stated: "Mr. Allen is going to continue not to comment on the details of the suit. It was filed based on a report issued by the highly respected auditing firm Sills & Adelmann. Common sense would tell you that if the defendants actually believed in their positions on the merits, they would not need to resort to smears or distractions that have nothing to do with this accounting dispute."
The crux of the counterclaim is that seven of the eight films produced and financed by Doumanian were to be cross-collateralized, meaning that cumulative losses on the entire pool of films were to be offset against cumulative profits. The counterclaim alleges that some of the films were profitable and some were not, and that Allen has been paid all profits to which he is entitled. Also alleged is that Doumanian's company, Sweetland Films, invested additional money when the films went over budget and did not charge interest, saving Allen approximately $15 million.
Allen sues team
In May, Allen sued Doumanian, his former producer and close friend, as well as Sweetland Films and Safracharging that he was cheated out of profits from the last eight movies they made together.
These were "Bullets Over Broadway," "Mighty Aphrodite," "Everyone Says I Love You," "Deconstructing Harry," "Wild Man Blues," "Celebrity," "Sweet and Lowdown" and "Small Time Crooks."
Allen alleged that Doumanian and her production company failed to pay Allen's Moses Prods. its share of gross profits and refused to provide accurate financial information about his films' earnings.
