Onetime buds Smokey Fontaine and Damon Dash came to blows last week, according to a police report Fontaine filed Thursday. Fontaine, who edits Dash's magazine, America, claims his boss put him in the hospital after a disagreement about editorial issues.
Rap mogul Damon Dash is one hands-on publisher, according to Smokey D. Fontaine, the editor of his glossy America. How hands-on? Fontaine claims one blow from the hip-hop heavy sent him to the hospital.
In the latest allegation of violence against the Roc-a-Fella Records co-founder, Fontaine has told police that Dash punched him so hard in the chest that he fell over a chair and was injured.
Fontaine told cops that the incident took place last Tuesday during an argument at Dash's Tribeca offices.
After the alleged pummeling, Smokey said, he checked into a hospital till Thursday, when he filed a police report.
Police said Dash has not been arrested, but that he faces a charge of third-degree misdemeanor assault.
Insiders say Dash and Fontaine had long been at odds over control of the slick mag devoted to luxe living and entertainment. "The magazine was Smokey's brainchild," said a friend. "But his dream was being jeopardized."
Among the issues: Fontaine's running a huge advertorial promoting the fashion line of Dash rival Sean Combs.
Word is Dash was also irked when he heard Fontaine was looking for new investors.
A rep for Dash had no immediate comment.
Top attorney Thomas Puccio — who represented music exec Steve Stoute in 1999, when Stoute was assaulted by Combs and two henchmen — confirmed that he'd been consulting with Fontaine.
A friend of Fontaine would say only, "He's with his family, recovering."
The alleged assault occurred the same week that Dash announced he was selling his stake in Rocawear to Jay-Z and other partners for $22 million.
-Source, NY Daily News 10/4/05
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Dame is having one one helluva year!
..and laugh inside and outside their minds when you come around...
