Liza Minelli sues former assisant

Entertainer Liza Minelli has filed a breach of contract counterclaim seeking $250,000 against her former chauffeur/assistant, M’hammad Soumayah.  Soumayah had sued Minelli in October, claiming that she had repeatedly beaten him during her frequent drunken rages. Soumayah had worked for the 58-year-old entertainer for ten years before she fired him.

The original lawsuit by Soumayah was filed under seal, but was ordered unsealed Tuesday by a Manhattan judge. Minelli is appealing that order.