Morrissey Responds to Murder-for-Hire Allegations
Morrissey has made a living out of being music’s moody, well-dressed uncle for decades now. He also hates it when people club baby seals.
The latter point leads us into the strangeness of a story in which Morrissey is being accused of wanting to harm and/or kill the operator of Morrissey-solo.com, David Tseng.
The accusations have been put forth by Bradley Steyn, a security official who is said to have worked detail for Morrissey in the past. In a lawsuit filed against the singer, Steyn claims that Morrissey asked him if Tseng “could get hurt,” before his tour manager wondered if Tseng “could be gotten rid of.” Allegedly, the parties then talked about how they could get into the blogger’s home.
While Morrissey has admitted very publically the dislike he has for Morrissey-solo.com, he has vehemently shot down the claims that he wanted to take Tseng’s life.
Here’s what Moz had to say:
“I cannot admit to actually “knowing” Bradley Steyn. Yes, I am aware that he is South African and that he lives in Los Angeles, and that he has “walked off” three Morrissey tours — which really is his own business, not mine. My personal involvement with him has been zero, and he has certainly never been Head Of Security on any Morrissey tour.
“I am aware of the false story he has placed on various news sites wherein he claims I asked him to “hurt” (kill?) David Tseng. Although Steyn’s story lends itself to its own ridicule, I feel I must say to those who have not yet worked it out, that the story is a vexatious lie. It is common knowledge that I dislike the SoLow site, and I am aware that all of the opinions posted on the site are controlled or written by David Tseng, and that David Tseng will give maximum and inexhaustive publicity to anything said in the negative about me. This is a general truth that most people accept about SoLow. It is nothing new, and I have long since learned to accept it.
“The very idea that I would ask a complete stranger (Bradley Steyn) to physically attack David Tseng surely cannot register with any sane person as being likely. As mildly irritating as David Tseng may be, he is not someone who troubles me enough to even bother with.
“The shabby truth of this drama is that Bradley Steyn has been trying to extract money from what he terms “the Morrissey tour”, and he has failed. He is now desperate, and this story is his latest escapade to gain someone’s attention. What he is telling the world is that, as a music venue security officer, anyone who works with him in the future should expect the same harassment and persecution as he is now — mysteriously — wielding my way. It is beyond belief, and it is shocking that someone who makes claims of professionalism would lower himself to this level.
“Please note that Bradley Steyn’s statement is now in the hands of the Los Angeles Police Department, and is subject to both criminal and civil action.”
Morrissey’s latest album, World Peace is None of Your Business, is out now.
-Adam Grant
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