A woman charged in Hollywood in connection with the theft of Lady Gaga’s prized French bulldog has filed a lawsuit against the musician, alleging she was denied a $500,000 “no questions asked” reward, Friday. According to a complaint filed on
Jennifer McBride was one of five co-defendants indicted by prosecutors in connection with the 2021 theft of a prized French bulldog. Lady Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fisher, was shot and injured in the incident.
McBride pleaded no contest in December to receiving stolen property in connection with the burglary. Now, she’s accusing the musician of breach of contract, fraud by false promise and misrepresentation for not paying her the $500,000 reward.
In addition to the award money, McBride is seeking damages of not less than $1.5 million, as well as unspecified general damages.
In an eight-page complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, McBride alleges Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, used the press and social media to announce a half-million-dollar reward for the safe return of her bulldog .
McBride claims she was entitled to a reward for delivering the dogs to the LAPD’s Olympic Community Police Station two days after taking them. The lawsuit alleges that Lady Gaga never intended to pay the “no questions asked” prize money, instead asking law enforcement questions about McBride’s return to the Bulldogs. As a result, McBride experienced pain and suffering, mental anguish, and lost the joy of life.
McBride, who the LAPD said he found the dogs and responded to a reward email to return them, was charged with one count of being an accessory and receiving stolen property after the fact. He later pleaded no contest in December to receiving stolen property.
Representatives for Lady Gaga did not immediately respond for comment.
Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Michele Hanisi told NBC News that any payment from the lawsuit would be considered restitution for Lady Gaga, who was the victim of a crime with her injured dog walker.
“It was clear from the evidence presented to the Grand Jury that Ms McBride knew the dogs were stolen in a violent robbery in which Ryan Fisher was seriously injured. It was also clear from the evidence that McBride had known at least two co-conspirators for years,” Hanesi said. “If Lady Gaga suffers financial loss from paying that reward, she could be charged with a crime under California law.” would qualify as prey. , and the people shall be bound by law to demand from each defendant in the case restitution in court for that loss.”
Hanisi said that if Lady Gaga does not publicly acknowledge that the dogs are hers and offer a reward, “the dogs are likely to end up in a breeding mill.”
The prosecutor said that “McBride is still on formal probation” and “is still under the jurisdiction of the court.”
McBride’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
