Model Naomi Campbell faces new abuse suit

In 2000, Campbell pleaded guilty to assaulting a former assistant. Picture / Reuters

NEW YORK - Supermodel Naomi Campbell, already facing court cases stemming from accusations that she assaulted two of her housekeepers, has been sued by a third employee who says Campbell attacked her.

In a one-page summons filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Campbell's former assistant Amanda Black said she was subjected to a series of "verbal, physical and emotional attacks" by the model shortly after she was hired by her in February 2005.

Brack, who was 19 at the time, is seeking unspecified damages for "assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, reckless infliction of emotional distress and false imprisonment," the suit says.

"On at least four occasions, Campbell assaulted and abused my client," Brack's lawyer, Gerald McCarthy, said, describing a series of tantrums by the supermodel.

In one instance, McCarthy said, Campbell struck Brack in the face with her Blackberry, slammed her against a wall and slapped her repeatedly across the face because a piece of her luggage got left behind during a trip to Brazil.

He said Campbell threw a cell phone at Brack's face during a subsequent outburst at the model's New York apartment.

During an April 2005 photo shoot in Morocco, McCarthy said, Campbell exploded in rage at Brack over a forgotten article of clothing. He said that Campbell left her assistant stranded in Morocco without funds, tore up her passport and threw it into the swimming pool and left her to pay the hotel bill.

In a final incident at Campbell's Park Avenue home, she ripped a sweater Brack was wearing "off her neck" and accused the assistant of stealing the garment, McCarthy said.

Campbell's lawyer, David Breitbart did not return calls for seeking comment.

Brack is the latest in a string of former employees who have accused Campbell of abuse.

In March 2006, Campbell was charged with second-degree assault in Manhattan Criminal Court after authorities said she threw her cell phone at her housekeeper, Ana Scolavino, 42, opening a gash in the back of her head.

In June, a second maid, Gaby Gibson, claimed the celebrity struck her in the head. She has also filed a civil lawsuit accusing Campbell of personal injury, employment discrimination, civil assault and battery.

In February 2000, Campbell to pleaded guilty in a Toronto court to assaulting a former assistant.

- REUTERS