Source: Bravewords.com

According to the Courthouse News Service, no “direct and admissible” evidence supports a businessman’s claim that Sammy Hagar hired a hit man to settle a dispute over the rocker’s Cabo Wabo chain of cantinas, a federal judge ruled.

Developer Milton Barbis sued the rock and roll star for $100 million in 2010. That was just one step in a string of litigation. In that action, Plaintiffs Barbis, Zone Sports Center, and Fresno Rock Taco sued Hagar, Red Head, Marco Monroy and SKYY Spirits, a subsidiary of Gruppo Campari, for breach of contract and emotional distress.

In 2008, Red Head dba Cabo Wabo Enterprises sued Fresno Rock Taco for breach of contract and trademark infringement, stemming from Fresno Rock’s licensing agreement for Cabo Wabo, Hagar’s restaurant franchise. All the complaints, and the recent ruling, were in Fresno Federal Court.

Though the parties settled the first complaint, Barbis claimed later that Hagar made him sign the confidential settlement “under duress.” That initiated a 2009 judgment that barred Fresno Rock Taco from using or selling Red Head’s trademarks and property.

In his 2010 complaint, Barbis claimed Hagar left him a voicemail stating, “I am going to fucking kill you.”

Barbis also claimed a hit man was hired to rub him out.

US District Judge Jeffrey White threw out all but two of Barbis’ claims against Hagar in 2011, granting the former Van Halen frontman’s motion to dismiss.

Read more at the Courthouse News Service.