Summerside sabotaged Jackson tribute: promoter

The promoter behind a failed Michael Jackson tribute concert planned for Summerside, P.E.I. says the city sabotaged its own event.

'A contact was made with Beyonce's management demeaning Defendants.' — Motion to dismiss

The city is suing California promoter Katrina Berg Sussmeier for fraud over her failure to deliver the event, which was supposed to feature Beyonce and Justin Timberlake, among other performers.

The city paid $1.3 million for the concert, equal to about $100 for every Summerside resident, and is suing to get its money back. Late last month, Sussmeier filed a motion in district court in San Jose to dismiss the suit.

In her motion, in which she repeatedly refers to Summerside as Sunnyside, Sussmeier said the city killed the concert by contacting Beyonce's people and bringing into question Sussmeier's ability to bring the concert together.

"A person unknown from the City contacted Beyonce's staff with an email that speaks for itself and killed the prospects of obtaining her services," the court document reads.

"A contact was made with Beyonce's management demeaning Defendants and the ability to stage a concert. As a result Beyonce did not agree to stage the concert."

Sussmeier said that contact violated a non-disclosure agreement, and forfeits the city's right to get its money back.

The motion to dismiss also said the city's complaint did not contain an appropriate cause of action for fraud.