Tycoon sued over party at Elton’s home
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20.01.07
A wealthy property developer is at the centre of a potential High
Court wrangle over an £800,000 party held at Sir Elton John’s home.
Rafi Manoukian is refusing to pay £200,000 of the bill for the event
last December to celebrate his 50th birthday and his daughter’s
christening.
Mr Manoukian, who is believed with his brother Bob to be worth more
than £250million, is unhappy about ‘the quality of the service’ at
Elton’s Windsor mansion and claims the organisers received more than
he had agreed in commission from their ‘suppliers’.
Organiser DNA Productions – which boasts of hosting events for Elton,
Stella McCartney and Kevin Spacey – is taking the case to the High
Court.
According to its writ, it sub-contracted to suppliers for food,
drinks, lighting, marquees and entertainment.
Sir Elton himself performed some of his hits on the night.
Armenian-born Mr Manoukian allegedly asked the party planners to limit
commissions or rebates it received from those suppliers to £16,000 –
but the writ claims that while a letter of request was signed ‘such
agreement was unsupported and is of no contractual effect’.
Curiously, DNA Productions was dropped as Elton’s party planner
shortly after the Manoukian party, although its chief executive Matt
James has dismissed suggestions of a link.
Mr Manoukian has made part payments amounting to £588,685. DNA is
suing him for the balance.
The writ claims the party organisers agreed to discount the total bill
by nearly £10,000 after complaints about the party.
Charlotte Connor, solicitor for DNA Productions, who described the
party as ‘highly successful’, said: "It would be inappropriate to
comment further at this time."
Mr Manoukian was unavailable for comment.