Lloyd Polite and Dontae Cunningham have filed a lawsuit against We Run Almeda, LLC, doing business as Bar 5015, and its owner Steve Rogers. The complaint was lodged in the District Court of Harris County, Texas on October 23, 2024. The plaintiffs allege gross negligence and other misconduct by the defendants that led to a dangerous situation at Bar 5015 during an event where Polite was scheduled to perform.
The case centers around an incident on October 30, 2022, when Lloyd Polite, a renowned R&B artist, arrived at Bar 5015 for a performance following a concert in Houston. Accompanied by his team including road manager Dontae Cunningham and head of security Maurice Hughes, Polite encountered what they describe as an unsafe environment. Despite repeated requests to clear the stage area for safety reasons, the club's management allegedly ignored these concerns. As Polite performed, tensions escalated when security personnel reportedly obstructed their exit from the venue.
Cunningham recounts being confronted by armed security guards outside the club after they attempted to leave due to safety issues. The situation intensified with weapons drawn by security personnel under Rogers' direction. Cunningham claims he was assaulted by one of the guards resulting in a concussion and subsequent arrest by Houston police—charges which were later dismissed.
The plaintiffs accuse the defendants of failing to provide a safe venue and breaching contractual obligations such as ensuring adequate security and services like VIP seating and bottle service. They assert that Rogers' actions placed them in harm's way intentionally or through reckless disregard for their safety.
Polite and Cunningham are seeking damages exceeding $1 million for physical injuries, emotional distress, breach of contract, and punitive damages among other reliefs. They argue that Rogers' failure to address known risks constitutes negligence per se under Texas law.
Representing the plaintiffs is attorney Daryl K. Washington from Washington Law Firm PC based in Dallas. The case is presided over by Judge Tayler Hatcher in Harris County's 333rd Judicial District Court under Case ID 2024-73761.