Timbaland has filed a $15 million lawsuit against two of his former managers. The artist claims the two ex-managers — Gary Marella and Bruce Seckendorf — stole millions.
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Timbaland Files $15 Million Lawsuit
Timbaland has filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against two former managers — Gary Marella and Bruce Seckendorf — according to The Hollywood Reporter. The complaint was filed on Friday, October 30, in Los Angeles, per HR and on Thursday, October 29, per PEOPLE. The artist and music producer claims that the two ex-managers committed several offenses — including fraud, civil theft, and breach of fiduciary duty. The lawsuit states that former manager Marella allegedly stole millions of dollars from Timbaland through unauthorized fees and payments. He reportedly:
“Stole millions in unauthorized commissions, fees, and reimbursements,” reads the complaint, adding that the manager “used Timbaland’s funds to pay Marella’s employees… falsified financial records and communications to conceal unauthorized payments” from Timbaland.
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Former Business Manager Allegedly Failed To Pay Producer’s Mortgage
In addition, Timbaland claims Seckendorf nearly got his home foreclosed by not paying the mortgage. Furthermore, the artist — whose real name is Timothy Mosley — claims he didn’t know about the missed payments until he was alerted by a foreclosure notice. Seckendorf allegedly:
“Failed to pay Mosley’s mortgage and allowed his home to reach the brink of foreclosure.”
Not only that, but Seckendorf allegedly caused Timbaland millions after failing to pay taxes.
He “failed to timely pay substantial federal taxes, causing millions in penalties and interest, while continuing to pay themselves, the Marella Defendants, and other professionals millions in commissions, fees, and purported loan repayments.”
The lawsuit goes on to accuse the managers of enriching themselves with “financial misconduct.”
“Defendants used their entrusted authority to enrich themselves and others, conceal financial misconduct, and deplete Timbaland’s valuable assets,” reads the complaint. “Plaintiffs seek to recover their losses, compel an accounting, and stop the continuing unauthorized use of Timbaland’s name for Defendants’ benefit.”
The producer called Seckendorf after getting the foreclosure notice but he was unable to explain the missed payments and nearly allowed Mosley’s home “to reach the brink of foreclosure.”
Subsequently, Timbaland hired new legal counsel and financial representatives to investigate. They reportedly uncovered “unauthorized payments, concealed credit-card arrangements, falsified communications, undisclosed liabilities, and purported loans Mosley had never knowingly agreed to.”
Not only that, but Seckendorf allegedly used nearly $900,000 to pay themselves while failing to pay for Timbaland’s mortgage for a full year. In addition, they reportedly concealed it from the producer.
Timbaland And Swizz Beatz Settle $28 Million Lawsuit Against Triller
The Shade Room reported that the artist and music producer Swizz Beatz settled a $28 million lawsuit against Triller. The artists sued the social networking service over missed payments following its Verzuz purchase, per Variety. The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount. Timbaland and Swizz Beatz released a statement to announce the settlement.
“Verzuz has always been a platform that is by the artists, for the artists and with the people,” the artists wrote in a statement. “We’re glad to come to an amicable agreement with Triller and continue giving fans the music and community that they’ve come to know and love from the brand.”
