Former assistant suesMetallica drummer

Fri 11th Feb, 2011 in International News

According to Californian newspaper the Marin Independent Journal, Lars Ulrich’s former personal assistant Steven Wiig is seeking unspecified damages for “state and federal labor violations, breach of oral contract and continuing wages”, according to the suit in Marin Superior Court. Wiig worked at Ulrich’s home and studio and on Metallica’s worldwide tours from 2001 to 2009.

Wigg is alleging that he worked up to 80 hours a week and was on call 24 hours a day and alleges that he was only paid $45,000 per year. However, Ulrich’s lawyer, Peter Paterno, has stated that Wiig was paid $110,000 a year before bonuses, plus free rent and car.

Paterno has also refuted the allegation of unpaid bonuses noting that “Lars’ accountant is checking on 2006, but Steve got bonuses in every other year of his employment, deserved or not. Specifically, in 2008, he received an extra $18,000. So it’s not clear what’s motivating this, but it really doesn’t seem to be about his compensation, does it?”

When not taking the drummer from one of the world’s biggest bands to court, Wiig plays drums for Papa Wheelie – the band fronted by former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted – and acts in films with Sean Penn ( Milk and Into the Wild ).