Can D4vd’s Managers Be Held Liable in Celeste Rivas Hernandez Case? Experts Weigh in
Lawyers tell Billboard that civil claims against management firm Mogul Vision could carry some weight — though it'll depend on the evidence.
In a new civil lawsuit, the parents of murdered teenager Celeste Rivas Hernandez are seeking to hold D4vd’s managers responsible for the singer’s alleged sexual abuse of the 14-year-old. Mercedes Martinez and Jesus Rivas Alvarado filed the claims with Los Angeles County Superior Court on September 4. The lawsuit, obtained by Billboard, alleges that D4vd’s management company, Mogul Vision, its CEO Josh Marshall, and his day-to-day manager Robert Morgenroth enabled the abuse by arranging for D4vd to be alone with Rivas on multiple occasions.
The parents claim that the Mogul Vision team knew or should have known of D4vd’s dangerous tendencies towards minors and failed to take reasonable steps to protect Rivas. They are seeking unspecified financial damages. Rivas’ managers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Legal experts suggest that D4vd’s managers could indeed be held liable, as enabling child sex abuse is considered a crime and can be pursued in civil court.
Experts note that if the managers were aware of D4vd’s behavior, even if not explicitly told about Rivas’ age, they could still be found negligent. The lawsuit highlights the responsibility managers have to protect their artists, especially minors, from harm. While the case is extreme, experts argue that managers must make decisions that balance loyalty to their clients with their long-term career interests.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
