Ex-bodyguard says he was bashed by Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber performing during the 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York. Photo/AP

A former bodyguard for Justin Bieber claims the pop superstar repeatedly struck him during a confrontation.

Moshe Benabou has filed a lawsuit against the singer claiming nearly $500,000 in overtime and other wages.

He is also seeking unspecified damages over a claim Bieber berated him and repeatedly punched him in the chest after a disagreement about how to handle a member of the Grammy-nominated singer's entourage.

After he walked away, Bieber fired him, the suit claims.

Benabou also says he was mistakenly told he wasn't entitled to receive overtime despite working 14 to 18-hour days between March 2011 and October 2012.

He is seeking damages on the assault and battery claims and US$421,261 (NZ$497,511) in unpaid overtime, holiday and other wage benefits.

An email message to Bieber's publicist was not immediately returned.

"For nearly two years Mr Benabou devoted himself completely to ensuring Mr Bieber's personal safety," Benabou's lawyer, Ilan Heimanson, wrote in a statement.

"Mr Benabou deserved, as does any employee, to be treated with respect, dignity and in accordance with the law. Unfortunately, he was not. "

Meanwhile, actor Charlie Sheen says he will pay for the funeral of a paparazzo who was struck and killed while trying to photograph Bieber's car.

Chris Guerra, 29, was killed in Los Angeles while photographing Bieber's distinctive white car and after hearing his family were having difficulty raising money for the funeral, Sheen offered them $US12,000.

Bieber's album Believe ranked six in 2012 sales with more than 1.3 million copies sold.

- AP and Bang! Showbiz