Burbank teen still a focus of Montana suit

Ryan Carter

It’s been more than a year since former San Francisco 49ers

football great Joe Montana filed suit against a Burbank teen, and

Montana has apparently not let up.

In August 2001, Montana’s attorneys alleged in Santa Clara

Superior Court that Emil Lazarian damaged Montana’s reputation by

creating a Web site that had Montana’s name on it with links to

pornographic sites.

Lazarian, then 18, has said he was not aware of the upset his

purchase of an online domain name -- “www.joemontanafanclub. com” --

would cause.

Since the lawsuit was filed, the case has been transferred to Los

Angeles and Montana’s attorneys have asked a judge to rule in their

favor because the allegations have not been contested. The suit asked

for more than $5 million in damages. And though Lazarian hired a

defense attorney, he asked to be excused from the case last month.

“I was only retained for the purpose of representing him in

getting the case transferred to Los Angeles,” said Jonathan Jackel,

Lazarian’s attorney. “I’m 400 miles from Los Angeles.”

Montana’s attorney, Robert L. Mezzetti II, could not be reached

for comment, nor could Lazarian.

The suit includes allegations of invasion of privacy, negligent

infliction of emotional distress, unjust enrichment and false

advertising.

If Montana wins, Jackel does not think the former player will ever

see any money from it.

“Mr. Lazarian, as far as I know, is not of substantial means,” he

said. “As far as I know, he has nothing to lose.”

The case is due back in Los Angeles Superior Court on Feb. 7.