Minnelli's Secret Sexual-Harassment Suit

Life is not exactly a Cabaret for Broadway star Liza Minnelli, who’s reportedly struck a covert deal ending a $100 million sexual-harassment lawsuit filed by her former trusted chauffeur. In 2004, M’Hammed Soumayah filed the lawsuit against Minnelli, claiming he was sexually and physically assaulted—and even spit on—during her alcohol-induced fits. According to his lawsuit, after Minnelli’s multiple attempts to persuade Soumayah, a married father of two, to sleep with her, he “eventually succumbed” after Minnelli threatened to fire him. The plaintiff also claimed he had “physical evidence” of his sexual relationship with the Oscar-winning actress. Minnelli battled her former employee of 10 years in court and filed a $250,000 countersuit for violating their confidentiality agreement, but she was forced to answer questions about their relationship under oath last month. On November 13, they struck an undisclosed deal and the presiding judge says the case is “settled and discontinued.” Minnelli’s lawyers declined to comment.