Aaron Tonken Sues for Fund-Raiser Pay

Celebrity fund-raiser Aaron Tonken, facing a federal criminal charge and a state investigation into his operations, is suing Elton John’s AIDS foundation, MTV star Sharon Osbourne and two others for money and perks he alleges he is owed for work on a March fund-raiser.

The event at Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne’s home raised $700,000 for John’s foundation as well as Sharon Osbourne’s colon cancer foundation.

Tonken alleges he had an oral contract to work as a consultant. He is asking for nearly $287,000 in damages. Also named were Kieron Kawall and Gavin Keilly.

Kawall said he “completely denies” the allegations. Keilly called the lawsuit “frivolous.”

A spokesperson for Sharon Osbourne declined to comment, and representatives of John’s foundation couldn’t be reached.