Post by Emerald City on Mar 22, 2005 18:10:48 GMT -5
Talk about an offer he'd rather refuse.
Ruben Studdard 's former manager--who also happens to be the American Idol champ's godfather--has filed a $500,000 countersuit against the Soulful singer, accusing Studdard of failing to pony up management fees and additional expenses.
The suit, filed Friday in Jefferson County Circuit Court in Alabama on behalf of Ronald Edwards, rejects all the allegations at the heart of Studdard's Mar. 5 complaint, in which he claimed Edwards mismanaged $246,000 while acting as Studdard's business adviser after he won the Fox talent contest in May 2003.
Edwards' attorney, Glennon Threatt, says that when Studdard signed his iron-clad contract with Idol producers, the portly popster asked Edwards to seek out "business that was under the radar."
"Mr. Studdard wanted to continue to earn money outside of the Idol contract. My client got Ruben $250,000 to $300,000 worth of business," Threatt told E! Online. "In addition to those commissions [due to Edwards], he promised to pay my guy $3,000 $5,000 a month in professional service fees."
Per his lawsuit, Studdard accuses Edwards of writing at least 23 unauthorized checks totaling $90,000 between July 2003 and February 2004 and claims Edwards' marketing firm, SEZ Inc., racked up huge charges on Studdard's credit card along with additional expenses worth another $156,000 after Edwards was fired.
Threatt disputes those assertions, insisting that Edwards agreed to advise the budding R&B star for free before his Idol-incurred fame because of his close relationship with Studdard's family.
The attorney also claims that when Edwards started repping Ruben, Studdard's driver's license had been revoked, he was four months behind on rent, he couldn't get a cell phone and he didn't even have a working checking account.
"My client got him a checking account and paid his rent," said Threatt. "Even if the court decides there were no contract, my guy still contributed valuable services and they shouldn't get those for free."
The business fallout has taken a personal toll on Studdard's relationship with his godfather. The two have reportedly not spoken since last June.
Studdard and his representatives were not immediately available for comment Monday. The singer has been in the studio working on follow-up material to his gospel album, I Need an Angel. According to MTV, he's also looking to try his hand at acting and is meeting with Hollywood producers about potential film roles.
