A California judge has ordered former Live Nation executive Nicholas Rumanes to pursue his $35 million whistleblower lawsuit against the entertainment company through arbitration, moving the employment dispute out of a conventional public courtroom while leaving open a role for the judge in disputes over evidence.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong ruled Monday, Nov. 9, that Rumanes could not avoid arbitration, according to Law360’s reporting. The judge also reportedly said either side could return to him with discovery disputes, citing concerns about the arbitrator’s discovery rules.
The decision represents a procedural win for Live Nation, which sought to move the lawsuit into arbitration. It is not a ruling on whether Rumanes was retaliated against or whether his allegations of corporate misconduct have merit.
The discovery issue is significant because the lawsuit concerns financial projections, public-facing venue deals and ticket-related fees. Whether the parties can obtain internal records and testimony could affect how those allegations are examined, even though the dispute’s underlying claims will not be tried before a jury.
Rumanes, a former executive vice president of development and business practice, filed suit in April, alleging retaliation under California whistleblower law, wrongful termination in violation of public policy and fraudulent inducement. He seeks more than $35 million in...
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