In a new lawsuit filed againstJustin Bieberon Thursday, the 24-year-old has been accused of using “racial epithets” during afight that took place outside a Cleveland hotelduring the 2016 NBA Finals.
“In addition to threatening to harm” Cannon, according to the documents the singer’s “threatening communications made in public in front of a number of people included the use of racial epithets.”
Sources close to the situation told The Blast that they believed Bieber used the “N-word” during the altercation.
However, a source close to Bieber told PEOPLE Bieber did not use any racial epithet. “This guy has been trying unsuccessfully to get money from Justin for years off of this incident,” the source said. “He has failed, largely because he threw the first punch and instigated the physical altercation. He has never before claimed anything about a racial slur.”
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A representative for Bieber and Cannon’s lawyer did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Cannon claims to have “sustained injuries to his face, head and back” as a result of the altercation and also suffered mental and emotional injuries.
Justin Bieber.Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock
The singer previously apologized in 2014 fortelling a racist jokein which herepeatedly used a derogatory slur.
During the video, which was filmed for his 2011 documentaryNever Say Never, he asks, “Why are black people afraid of chainsaws?” He continues with the punchline: “Run n––, n––, n––, n––, n––.”
Shortly after the footage went public, Bieber released a statement attempting to explain his actions – and apologizing for them.
The statement said, “As a kid, I didn’t understand the power of certain words and how they can hurt. I thought it was okay to repeat hurtful words and jokes, but didn’t realize at the time that it wasn’t funny and that in fact my actions were continuing the ignorance.”
“Now that these mistakes from the past have become public I need to apologize again to all those I have offended. I’m very sorry. I take my friendships with people of all cultures very seriously and I apologize for offending or hurting anyone with my childish and inexcusable mistake,” he continued.
Recently the singer has been trying tokeep a low profileand focus on his faith, often spotted attending services atHillsong Church‘s Los Angeles location.
source: people.com
