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Sultan Accused Of Hiding From Suit Leader Of Brunei Seeking Immunity From Kidnap Charges

Associated Press

Miss Idaho USA Brandi Sherwood’s lawyer says the Sultan of Brunei is avoiding the issue by claiming sovereign immunity and not forcefully denying the kidnapping allegations against him.

Sherwood, of Idaho Falls, is among six women named in a lawsuit filed by former beauty queen Shannon Marketic against the Sultan of Brunei, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, his brother Prince Haji Jefrri Bolkiah and Kaliber Talent Consultants.

“We didn’t hear many statements by Mr. Van de Kamp (the sultan’s attorney) denying facts alleged by Shannon in her complaint,” attorney Gloria Allred said Tuesday in a statement faxed to the Post Register.

“All we heard was that the sultan is in the process of seeking sovereign immunity after the lawsuit was filed in an apparent attempt to shield him from the legal consequences of the allegations.”

Allred, most recently known for representing Nicole Brown’s family in the O.J. Simpson civil case, said Sherwood has not filed a lawsuit of her own.

The suit filed by Marketic alleges that associates of the sultan lured the women to Brunei with contracts to do promotional work in the oil-rich Southeast Asian island kingdom.

According to Marketic’s complaint, once they arrived on the island the women were held captive for 32 days and expected to engage in sexual activities and prostitution at parties for wealthy patrons of the sultan.

Van de Kamp sought dismissal of the lawsuit on Monday, saying that as heads of state the sultan and his brother were “absolutely immune.”

The lawsuit accuses the defendants of racketeering, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract and negligence. Marketic is asking for $10 million on the racketeering claim and a minimum of $20 million for each additional count.

“We hope that the court will reject the arguments that the sultan is shielded from the lawsuit and we hope that the court will allow an aggrieved U.S. citizen to have her day in court,” Allred said.

Allred, president of the Women’s Equal Rights Legal Defense and Education Fund, has won honors for her pioneering legal work on behalf of women’s rights.