*Lauryn Hill is being sued for fraud and breach of contract by her Fugees bandmate, Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, who claims he was denied his fair share of profits from last year’s tour.
The lawsuit, filed in New York federal court, alleges that Hill took 40% of the tour’s earnings before distributing the remainder. Michel is seeking unspecified damages and a court order to void contracts he signed for joining Hill’s 2023 tour, which he claims compromised his intellectual property rights and future earnings from the Fugees’ projects, Complex reports.
In a statement, Michel’s legal team said: “This morning, we filed a complaint for Prakazrel ‘Pras’ Michel against Lauryn Hill and MLH Touring, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Case 1:24-cv-07403) for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract. The lawsuit alleges that Ms. Hill exploited Mr. Michel’s vulnerable legal situation, manipulating him into an unfair agreement for The Fugees’ 2023 reunion tour. Ms. Hill’s chronic tardiness was a hallmark of the tour, with shows routinely starting two or more hours late. Hill canceled the second half of the tour and, at the same time, financially penalized and defrauded Mr. Michel. We assert that Ms. Hill misrepresented critical financial information and concealed her intent to take an excessive 60 percent share of the tour’s proceeds, leaving Mr. Michel with only 20 percent instead of the group’s customary one-third split. This legal action aims to hold Ms. Hill accountable and secure justice for Mr. Michel. The lawsuit comes on the cusp of the ‘Fugees’ European tour by Hill and Wyclef Jean, at which Michael will not be performing.”
Hill has responded to Pras’ lawsuit in a statement to Complex. In it, she writes, “I’ve been silent and pushing through because I understood that Pras was under duress because of his legal battles and that this was perhaps affecting his judgment, state of mind, and character.”
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According to Hill, Pras’ lawsuit is full of “false claims.” She also provided the following list of “facts,” via Complex:
“Fact #1: This baseless lawsuit by Pras is full of false claims and unwarranted attacks. It notably omits that he was advanced overpayment for the last tour and has failed to repay substantial loans extended by myself as an act of goodwill. Last year’s tour was put together to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. It was being planned whether the Fugees were involved or not.”
“Fact #2: The tour was expanded to incorporate the Fugees because I found out that Pras was in trouble and would need money to aid his legal defense.”
“Fact #3: Pras was given a $3M advance for the tour, which he said he required to pay his legal fees. Wyclef and Myself deferred our full advances to make sure he had what he needed and was able to go. I covered most of the tour expenses, as the majority of the tour advance had gone to Pras. An agreement was put in place to secure the repayment of the money he was advanced. Pras has not paid back the money he was advanced, and is currently in breach of this agreement.”
“Fact #4: Because my tour, band, production, and set up were already happening, the Fugees set utilized this same production. I absorbed most of the expenses myself, produced the show, put together the entire set (with Wyclef’s participation for the Fugees and Wyclef’s set). Pras basically just had to show up and perform.”
“Fact #5: As of the last tour Pras thanked me for ‘saving his life’. (I have the receipts.)”
“Fact #6: 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 but this leads us to Fact #7, which probably should have been Fact #1…”
“Fact #7: I was not in Pras’ life when he decided to make the unfortunate decision that lead to his current legal troubles. I did not advise that he make that decision and therefore am in no way responsible for his decision and its consequences though I have taken it upon myself to help. Despite his attacks, I am still compassionate and hope things work out for him.”
Pras’ lawsuit holds Lauryn Hill responsible for the failed 2024 North American tour, which was canceled due to low ticket sales. She blamed the media for the canceled shows.
READ MORE FROM EURWEB.COM: Lauryn Hill and Fugees’ U.S. Tour Canceled – Hill Blames Media’s ‘Sensationalism and Clickbait Headlines’
