“I have been left with no other choice but to file lawsuits,” wrote Ash Pournouri, who managed Avicii from 2008-2016.
The recent release of the documentary Avicii – I’m Tim prompted one of the late EDM superstar’s friends to speak out against what he claimed was “false storytelling.” Now, Avicii’s former manager, Ash Pournouri, says he’s taking legal action for a narrative that appears to have been circulating much longer.
Taking to LinkedIn, Pournouri addressed how rumors surrounding the April 2018 death of Avicii (real name Tim Bergling) have affected him personally. “In a recent interview focusing on my current business ventures and what I have focused all my energy on building back up, I confirmed that the past few years have been hell for me and my family,” he wrote.” I have endured a false external narrative which, out of respect for Tim’s memory and family, I have actively chosen not to engage in.”
Pournouri continued: “That courtesy has not been extended to me. Lies and false accusations by certain individuals continue with the aim of causing me harm and to profit from a tragedy. Consequently, I have been left with no other choice but to file lawsuits with the main objective for the lies to stop and the facts to be known, once and for all.”
Previously, Pournouri has asserted that the 2017 documentary Avicii: True Stories falsely portrayed him as having pressured Bergling to continue touring while unwell. It is unclear whether same rumors he was referring to in his statement are one and the same.
The handling of Bergling’s legacy has sparked controversy outside of documentaries. Most recently, his collaborator Sandro Cavazza said that their song together, “Forever Yours – Tim’s 2016 Ibiza Version,” was released against his wishes after appearing in Avicii – I’m Tim.