Ex-CEO of Dubai-based festival files defamation lawsuit in L.A.

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(12-10) 16:08 Pacific Time Los Angeles (AP) --

The laminitis of the Dubai International Movie Festival is suing two of the organization's top executives, claiming they conspired to throw out him from his station as main executive director and tried to destroy his reputation.

Neil George Stephenson of Toronto filed the ailment Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, according to a release issued by his public dealings firm.

The lawsuit impeaches the festival's chairman, Abdulhamid Juma, and managing manager Shivani Pandya, of defamation, conspiracy, imposition of emotional emphasis and intervention with contractual relations.

Stephenson claims the two work force engaged in a political campaign that led to his ejector in February.

He is seeking $5 million in amends from both Juma and Pandya.

An e-mail sent to the Dubai International Movie Festival Monday seeking remark was not immediately returned.

The first festival was held in 2004.