American singer Lauryn Hill, also known as L Boogie, has responded to the lawsuit filed against her by Pras Michel, her former bandmate in the Fugees.
The 49-year-old singer was sued by Wyclef Jean, the group’s co-founder, for fraud and breach of contract, among other accusations, after the group’s 2023 tour was truncated and their The Miseducation Anniversary Tour was canceled earlier this year.
Pras alleges in his lawsuit, obtained by Variety, that Lauryn Hill “grossly mismanaged the setup, marketing, and budgeting of” the 2023 tour, claiming it to be “a veiled and devious attempt to make a big score for herself.”
He further asserts that she violated her fiduciary duties by refusing to allow an audit of the tour and that she stole money from the tour guarantees in secret.
The lawsuit further claimed that Lauryn controlled the budget for the 2023 tour, which was “so bloated with unnecessary and, most likely fictitious, expenses, that it seemed designed to lose money,” leaving Pras empty-handed even though the majority of the shows for the entire arena size tour were sold out in advance.
According to Laurien’s lawyer, Howard King, the lawsuit is “packed with lies and intentionally disparaging remarks,” and he calls it “desperate and unfortunate.”
“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,” King said. “
”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.”
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Read below, the statement made by Lauryn Hill in response to the lawsuit below, courtesy of Variety:
”Some clarity and facts need to be presented. 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.
”Fact #1: This baseless lawsuit by Pras is full of false claims and unwarranted attacks. It notably omits that he was an 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 was required to pay his legal fees. Wyclef and I 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 advanced. Pras has not paid back the money he advanced and is currently in breach of this agreement.
”Fact #4: Because my tour, band, production, and setup were already happening, the Fugees set utilized this same production. I absorbed most of the expenses myself, produced the show, and put together the entire set (with Wyclef’s participation for the Fugees and Wyclef’s set). Pras 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 disheartening to see Pras in this position, my bandmate 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 led 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.
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