Photographer Claims Kanye West 'Assaulted, Battered, Beat & Threatened' Him

A new year, a new Kanye West controversy. According to the New York Post a Manhattan photographer is claiming he was "assaulted, battered, beat and threatened" by 'Ye and his body guards at a Casio G-Shock watch event that happened almost three years ago. According to the lawsuit, photog Michael Vazquez claims he was invited to shoot at the May 2008 anniversary party, but allegedly entered a physical altercation with 'Ye and his entourage as the evening progressed around 11pm. "[West], his agents, servants and/or employees acting in the course and within the scope of their employment, detained and/or threatened and/or caused plaintiff to suffer injuries," the suit explains. "The assault and battery was committed by defendant, Kanye West, [his] agents, servants and/or employees, with malice" and caused Vazquez, 44, "physical, mental and emotional illness."  It was reported that Vazquez did file a police report that same evening, claiming that his camera and cell phone were taken stolen and that he had suffered a dislocated shoulder and cuts to his face during the fight. According to Police sources, West was never identified as one of the attackers in the police report, and the criminal case was closed after. Vazquez's total monetary request has yet to surface.