Actor Terrence Howard sued by agent over fees

Victoria Frederick and LAF Studios filed suit against Howard in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on May 4.

In her complaint, Frederick alleges Howard hired her in 2005 to act as his personal manager and agreed to pay her a 10 percent commission on all payments he earned for activities in the entertainment industry. In addition, under the terms of the agreement, Frederick would earn 10 percent on all profits that Howard earned, according to the complaint. Frederick and Howard also agreed that Frederick would earn a 10 percent commission on all residuals Howard earned for work he had performed before he hired her, the suit states.

However, Howard has refused to pay Frederick and her management company, LAF Studios, the money she says they are owed, the complaint says.

For example, Howard earned $1.75 million for his starring role in Fighting, Frederick claims. Of that, Howard should have compensated Frederick $175,000, but only paid her $87,500, according to the complaint.

He also made $1 million for his role in Winnie, but Frederick has received only $50,000 of the $100,000 she should have been paid, the suit states.

He also owes her 10 percent of the profits he received for appearing in films such as Four Brothers, Get Rich or Die Trying and Hustle and Flow, the complaint says. In fact, there are 112 movies and other projects that Howard owes Frederick and LAF Studios commission on, she claims.

Since his roles in the movies, Howard terminated Frederick on Jan. 6, 2010, and has continued to refuse the payments she says she is owed.

In her complaint, Frederick alleges breach of contract and unjust enrichment against Howard.

She seeks 10 percent commission on all residuals and royalties Howard earned for his work in the 112 films she says she failed to receive full payment for.

Margaret Sherry Lurio of Lurio and Associates in Philadelphia will be representing her.

U.S. District Court case number: 5:11-cv-2961.