Lauryn Hill sued for fraud by Pras des Fugees following canceled tour

Lauryn Hill is being sued by Fugees member and co-founder Prakazrel “Pras” Michel for fraud and breach of contract regarding her canceled tour.

In a federal lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York and obtained Tuesday by USA TODAY, Michele accuses the singer of mismanaging the Miseducation 2023 anniversary tour, including its marketing and budget, by trying to “usurp control ” by taking over the group’s affairs. and his brand and unilaterally rejecting a $5 million offer for the hip-hop trio – Hill, Pras and Wyclef Jean – to perform at this year’s Coachella festival.

The lawsuit alleges that Hill, 49, “exploited” Michel’s “vulnerable legal situation, manipulating him into an unfair deal for the Fugees’ 2023 reunion tour,” according to a statement to USA TODAY from Michel’s attorney, Robert Meloni.

“Ms. Hill’s chronic lateness was a feature of the tour, with shows regularly starting two hours or more late,” the statement continued. “Hill canceled the second half of the tour and, at the same time, financially penalized and defrauded Mr. Michel.”

Michel also named Hill’s travel company, MLH Touring, as a defendant in the suit. She is seeking unspecified damages.

In a statement provided to USA TODAY through representatives for Hill’s on Tuesday, the artist responded to Michel’s claims: “I kept silent and insisted because I understand that Pras was under duress to because of his legal battles and that perhaps it was affecting his judgment, he says, of mind and character,” she said.

Michel was convicted in April 2023 in a multimillion-dollar political conspiracy trial. He is currently on bail pending sentencing and faces up to 20 years in prison. In response to her legal difficulties, Hill said Tuesday that she “was not in Pras’ life when he decided to make the unfortunate decision that led to his current legal problems,” adding that she did not was “in no way responsible for his decision and its consequences”. even though I took it upon myself to help.

Hill called Michele’s lawsuit “meritless” and “full of false allegations and unwarranted attacks.”

“Notably, he omits that he was overpaid for the last tour and that he failed to repay substantial loans that I made as a gesture of goodwill,” Hill said in the statement. . “Last year’s tour was organized to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill album. It was planned whether or not the Fugees would be involved.”

From August 2023: Lauryn Hill announces 25th anniversary tour of her debut solo album, Fugees, as headliner

In his complaint, Michel claims the tour was “in effect a veiled and underhanded attempt to score big” for Hill.

The suit alleges that the Fugees’ 2023 tour “would have been a huge commercial success, since most of the shows on the entire arena-sized tour were sold out in advance.” However, Michele claims that the tour budget “was so bloated with unnecessary and, most likely, fictitious expenses that it seemed designed to lose money”, and he claims he ended up empty-handed.

According to Michel’s lawyer, Hill “misrepresented critical financial information and hid his intention to take an excessive 60% share of the tour’s revenue, leaving Mr. Michel with only 20% instead of the band’s usual third.” .

Hill also told USA TODAY on Tuesday in response to Michel’s lawsuit that “Pras has not repaid the money advanced to him and is currently in violation of that agreement” and that he “simply had to show up and perform” after claiming she “covered most of the tour’s expenses” herself.

The trial comes on the eve of Hill and Wyclef Jean’s Fugees European tour, on which Michel will not perform.

More: Lauryn Hill claims media ‘sensationalism’ led to abrupt cancellation of US anniversary tour

In August 2023, Hill announced a 25th anniversary tour to celebrate her highly acclaimed debut album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”, but it ended up being cut short when Hill decided to cancel the second half of the tour in November 2023 , citing “serious vocal tension.

Hill addressed his previously canceled tour dates in a lengthy statement posted to Instagram on August 7, writing, “Last year I suffered an injury that required some of my shows to be postponed” and “unfortunately, the Some media outlets’ penchant for sensationalism and clickbait headlines apparently created a narrative that affected ticket sales for the North American leg of the tour.

Despite the lawsuit and Michel’s “attacks,” Hill concluded her statement: “I am still compassionate and hope things work out for him.” »

Contributors: Edward Segarra, Pamela Avila; THE UNITED STATES TODAY