How many Sports Illustrated swimsuit models does one guy need?
Super stunners Irina Shayk, Jessica Hart and Anne V. apparently weren’t enough for one former SoHo modeling agency booker — he greedily tried to poach even more from his former bosses at Women Model Management, a new lawsuit claims.
In papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, WMM says it allowed Ali Kavoussi, 38, to break his contract a year early and leave with five models — including Hart, Shayk and Anne V., Mets ace Matt Harvey’s ex — so he could start his own firm, Lions Models.
Kavoussi had managed the SI trio, and Vogue cover model Guinevere Van Seenus and Jimmy Choo model Angela Lindvall for a long period of time, the suit says.
In return for being allowed to leave with the quintet, Kavoussi signed an agreement promising he would not try to lure any more of its models or staff to his new company.
He lied, the suit says.
Even while he was negotiating his separation agreement, Kavoussi was stealing booker Joseph Schepers, the agency says.
Then earlier this year, Kavoussi tried to sign up other agency models, including Sara Sampaio, who made the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue.
WMM said it sent a warning letter, which drew an apology from Kavoussi.
But he still couldn’t keep his hands off their models, the suit says.
He “brazenly and unabashedly” continued to approach the company’s catwalkers about leaving, trash-talking the agency along the way, the suit says.
“From the moment he entered into the separation agreement, Kavoussi has repeatedly and intentionally violated the agreement,” the suit says.
WMM wants a court order keeping Kavoussi from grabbing any more of their beauties, and unspecified money damages.
Kavoussi did not return a call for comment.
He’s been sued before — 1 Model Management accused him of poaching its models when he went to work for WMM.
That case was dismissed after a judge found the models followed him after their own contracts expired.
