Argentine businessman Rogelio "Roger" Nores has filed a defamation lawsuit against Geoff Payne, the father of late British artist Liam Payne, after the latter accused him of being responsible for Liam's care during the incident that led to his death in a Buenos Aires hotel.
According to information obtained by TMZ, Nores claims that Geoff defamed him by stating that he was in charge of Liam during his final days.
Nores firmly denies ever acting as Liam's "caretaker," stating in a media release that Liam was a "dear friend" but he "never agreed to be and was never the caretaker."
According to Buenos Aires police records, Geoff testified under oath that Nores had "full responsibility" for Liam in his final days. However, Nores disputes these claims, asserting that he had warned Geoff about the need to be directly involved in his son's life due to Liam's struggles with addiction.
Key points of the dispute
Nores claims that in August 2024 he emailed Geoff explaining that he could no longer provide the same level of support to Liam and urged him to step in. He further stated that in September he asked Geoff to travel to Wellington, Florida—about 90 minutes northwest of Miami—to take care of his son, a request that he says was ignored.
Additionally, Nores accuses Geoff of omitting key emails from police documents shared in TMZ's documentary 'Liam Payne: Who's to Blame?', available on Hulu in the United States. In the documentary Nores reaffirmed that he never provided Liam with recreational drugs or administered his prescribed medications.
However, the TMZ report doesn't mention whether Nores is addressing other accusations against him in the ongoing police investigations in Liam's death after falling from the third floor of the CasaSur Hotel on October 16, 2024.
Leaked legal documents reveal that, despite the case being under a confidentiality order, Nores identified himself multiple times as Liam's manager and was reportedly the last person in Liam's circle to see him alive on the afternoon of his death.
In fact, a document obtained by Infobae from CasaSur lists Nores as Liam's manager.
Nores faces charges of negligent homicide, which were reduced by his legal team from abandonment homicide, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Five people are facing legal action over Liam's death. Two are in custody awaiting trial, while three, including Nores, have been allowed to remain free pending trial.
Others implicated
While denying direct responsibility, Nores pointed to others who he claims were more closely involved in Liam's care. This includes Bledar Vata, a bodyguard hired by Geoff but dismissed by Liam before his death, and Kate Cassidy, Liam's girlfriend. Cassidy lived with Liam in Florida and accompanied him in hotels during his final months.
The American model and influencer was also mentioned in Geoff Payne's testimony.
"Liam, who I miss every day, was my dear friend and an independent, brilliant, respectful free man who did whatever he wanted whenever he wanted," Nores told TMZ. Nores has pledged to donate any winnings from the lawsuit to Liam's son, Bear, should he prevail in court.
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