Chicago law firm Wallace Miller filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Live Nation Entertainment and its venue Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park alleging the venue had inadequate security measures that led to the sexual assault of a minor at a Wiz Khalifa and Sean Paul concert in July 2025.
The lawsuit also claims the venue failed to implement safety policies for minors, remove predatory adults, prevent underage drinking and monitor restricted areas of the venue.
“These parents deserve to know that the company that is taking their money is taking care of the children that are coming to their venue,” said Molly Condon Wells, a partner at the law firm that filed the suit.
Live Nation officials refused to be interviewed and provided a statement stating the company does not have further comment on the litigation.
“The safety and security of our guests is our top priority,” said a Live Nation spokesperson. “We cooperated fully with law enforcement regarding this case.”
The suit comes four months after 18-year-old Frankfort resident Roman Basso was charged with alleged aggravated criminal sexual assault and bodily harm at the July concert.
Basso’s attorney Todd Pugh said Tuesday that Live Nation has a video showing the minor leading Basso, holding his hand and showing physical consent. Pugh said the video does not include audio showing verbal consent.
Pugh also said the minor and her friend told Basso and his friend that they were older. He said Basso, a college student, has been unable to return to Arizona State University since the charges were filed due to university policy.
Pugh said the involved parties are still collecting evidence, as the report was filed at an Ohio hospital and some materials are out of the state. The case is next scheduled for a hearing at 9:30 a.m. June 10 at the Bridgeview Courthouse.
The lawsuit alleges the venue failed to monitor surveillance cameras and barricade the restricted area where Basso allegedly assaulted the minor. The venue also lacked written procedures to protect minors and respond to signs of predatory behavior at time of the assault, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit also alleges that the minor consumed alcohol that impaired her ability to recognize danger as a result of the venue selling alcohol. The minor was given alcohol by a friend’s mother, which was purchased at the concert venue, according to the lawsuit.
These alleged safety and security risks, argued the Chicago firm, led the minor to suffer severe and permanent emotional distress that require expenses for medical and psychological treatment, therapy and counseling. The suit asked the venue to pay $50,000 to account for these expenses.
Condon Wells, a lawyer behind the suit, said Tuesday the firm plans to ask for more in damages but did not specify.
She said she was especially concerned by the company’s alleged history of similar negligence.
She cited an investigation by National Public Radio and the Houston Chronicle that connected Live Nation Entertainment and Live Nation Worldwide to 200 deaths and 750 injuries since 2006. This includes deaths at Ariana Grande and Jason Aldean concerts 2017, an Astroworld Festival in 2021 and other festivals in 2021 and 2023, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit also cited reports of a missing person at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in 2025, who was later found deceased.
“Live Nation can not claim that it did not know that safety and security was an issue inside its venues,” she said. “They knew the risks, they knew their obligations, and they chose to ignore it.”
Condon Wells said the minor’s family is concerned about other families buying tickets for the summer season of concerts, amphitheaters and festivals.
Condon Wells said Live Nation should be undertaking more precautions to protect children at concert venues, such as monitoring cameras and implementing security around restricted areas. She did not answer how the venue could have prevented the underage drinking.
Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre also recently faced concerns for increased parking and ticket prices and fees that area residents worried could hurt the popularity of the amphitheater, known as one of the more affordable venues in the area.
Live Nation previously argued infrastructure investments in the next year will make the parking fees worthwhile.
awright@chicagotribune.com
