Pras Michél, a founding member of the Grammy-winning hip-hop group The Fugees, is suing his bandmate Lauryn Hill in federal court for fraud and breach of contract, among other claims, over their abbreviated 2023 tour and canceled concerts a year later.
(Getty Images.)
In the lawsuit, filed Monday in the Southern District of New York, Michél alleges that Hill poorly mismanaged the budgeting of their brief 2023 tour, which “was actually a veiled and devious attempt to make a big score for herself,” the complaint states, adding that the singer then secretly siphoned off money from the tour guarantees.
The full list of claims also include breach of fiduciary duty and refusal to permit an audit of the Fugees’ tour.
In a statement to Variety, Hill blasted the lawsuit as “baseless” and “full of false claims and unwarranted attacks.” Her attorney, Howard King, added: “It is particularly disappointing that the suit fails to reveal that Pras was grossly over advanced for the last tour to help him pay his mounting legal bills. His failure to show appreciation for the financial help Ms. Hill has afforded him in his time of need is disappointing. This action will be aggressively defended and defeated.”
Michél is being represented by attorneys Robert Meloni and Thomas McCaffrey.
Ms. Hill also took to Instagram to post a statement earlier this week. Check it out below:
The lawsuit goes on to claim that Hill turned down $5 million to play at Coachella without telling Michél about the offer. He also criticized her widely known "chronic tardiness" to performances. It also requests a jury trial and seeks a declaratory judgment to nullify the 2023 tour contracts and require an audit of its financial records. Additionally, Michél is pursuing both actual and punitive damages, the amounts of which will be decided during the trial.
Ms. Hill confirmed that the 25th anniversary tour was happening whether Fugees was a part or not, but extended to her former bandmates once she “found out that Pras was in trouble and would need money to aid his legal defense.” She alleges that Michél was paid a $3 million dollar advancement to assist in covering his legal fees. She also claims that she put the set together, produced the show, absorbed most of the expenses herself, and all Pras had to do was show up and perform.
Ms. Hill also adds that Michél "notably omits" that he was given an advancement to assist with legal fees. A repayment plan was set in place for Michél, but he has not paid back the money and is currently in breach of his agreement.
“I am not in the business of kicking anyone, especially when they’re down, which is why I haven’t responded to date. It is absolutely disheartening to see Pras in this position, my band mate and someone I considered a friend,” Hill wrote.
Hill and the Fugees are set to play three dates in the UK next week, including a night at the O2 arena in London. Michél's lawyer said he would not be participating in the shows.
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