In August, Damon Dash filed a summons that outlined his claims of having written and oral
agreements with Lee Daniels. On Sept 22 in New York Superior Court, Dash followed up with
an actual complaint that provides the basis why Dash thinks himself entitled to credits, ownership
and millions of dollars in compensation.Dash's lawsuit confirms reports that the dispute dates back
to $2 million allegedly given by the hip hop mogul so that Daniels could produce The Woodsman,
which starred Kevin Bacon as a convicted child molester adjusting to life after prison.
Through a mutual acquaintance, publicist Marvette Britto, Dash says he was introduced to Daniels.
In return for $2 million, Dash says he got a written agreement that gave him executive producer credits,
50 percent of rights on the film, and a guarantee that the investment would be repaid with interest from
Daniels. Dash says he attempted to ensure the film's success by traveling around the country to promote
The Woodsman, and bringing along celebrities like Kanye West to perform at venues where the film's ads
would run. The movie came out in 2005, and afterwards, Dash says he didn't get a response to his request
for an accounting. Instead of repayment, Dash says he got another offer from Lee.
"The terms of this offer were as follows: Lee asked Damon to forego seeking repayment of the $2,000,000.00
from 'The Woodsman' proceeds, and in its stead, roll-over the $2,000,000.00 into another one of Lee’s films,
which was eventually to be produced and distributed under the name, Shadowboxer.”
Another written agreement is said to have come, but Dash says he reinvested the $2 million into Shadowboxer,
which wasn't nearly the critical success of Daniels' prior film. Dash says he "was expressly told to take a back
seat" on the promotion of this film, and after the film came out in 2005, wasn't able to get an accounting on that
film either.
Instead, Lee is said to have communicated another offer through his agent, Michael McConnell, that "in exchange
for keeping quiet about being owed money, to avoid bad press in light of Lee’s upcoming projects, and foregoing
prompt payment on the personal guaranty, Lee, and Lee Daniels Entertainment, promised Damon, both orally,
and in writing, that Damon would be given a producer credit and partial ownership rights to any and all of Lee’s
projects — i.e., current and future TV shows and/or films —until Lee paid Damon back the $2,000,000.00 plus
interest that Damon had originally invested with Lee." Dash says he accepted the offer, then put in a good word
about Lee to Tennessee's allegedly reluctant investors and personally reassured the film's cast including Mariah
Carey.
The plaintiff asserts that because the debt is still outstanding, that films such as Precious, The Paperboy and The
Butler are covered under the terms of the agreement. Plus, the obligations are ongoing. One project mentioned
is a television show titled "Empire" from Lee and Brian Grazer that's said to be slated to air on Fox in late 2014
or earlier 2015. When the summons was originally filed, Daniels' reps put out word that "the reported claims by
Damon Dash that he is owed money from investments in Lee Daniels’ films are completely without merit."
We've reached out to the defendant again and will provide any response. The complaint is also directed at Canyon
Entertainment president Simone Sheffield for allegedly defaming Dash. At one point, Sheffield allegedly stated Dash
was going to jail. Sheffield is also reported to have left a "disturbing voice mail" for Dash's attorney that was saved.
Not much detail is provided on that.
Source: THR
agreements with Lee Daniels. On Sept 22 in New York Superior Court, Dash followed up with
an actual complaint that provides the basis why Dash thinks himself entitled to credits, ownership
and millions of dollars in compensation.Dash's lawsuit confirms reports that the dispute dates back
to $2 million allegedly given by the hip hop mogul so that Daniels could produce The Woodsman,
which starred Kevin Bacon as a convicted child molester adjusting to life after prison.
Through a mutual acquaintance, publicist Marvette Britto, Dash says he was introduced to Daniels.
In return for $2 million, Dash says he got a written agreement that gave him executive producer credits,
50 percent of rights on the film, and a guarantee that the investment would be repaid with interest from
Daniels. Dash says he attempted to ensure the film's success by traveling around the country to promote
The Woodsman, and bringing along celebrities like Kanye West to perform at venues where the film's ads
would run. The movie came out in 2005, and afterwards, Dash says he didn't get a response to his request
for an accounting. Instead of repayment, Dash says he got another offer from Lee.
"The terms of this offer were as follows: Lee asked Damon to forego seeking repayment of the $2,000,000.00
from 'The Woodsman' proceeds, and in its stead, roll-over the $2,000,000.00 into another one of Lee’s films,
which was eventually to be produced and distributed under the name, Shadowboxer.”
Another written agreement is said to have come, but Dash says he reinvested the $2 million into Shadowboxer,
which wasn't nearly the critical success of Daniels' prior film. Dash says he "was expressly told to take a back
seat" on the promotion of this film, and after the film came out in 2005, wasn't able to get an accounting on that
film either.
Instead, Lee is said to have communicated another offer through his agent, Michael McConnell, that "in exchange
for keeping quiet about being owed money, to avoid bad press in light of Lee’s upcoming projects, and foregoing
prompt payment on the personal guaranty, Lee, and Lee Daniels Entertainment, promised Damon, both orally,
and in writing, that Damon would be given a producer credit and partial ownership rights to any and all of Lee’s
projects — i.e., current and future TV shows and/or films —until Lee paid Damon back the $2,000,000.00 plus
interest that Damon had originally invested with Lee." Dash says he accepted the offer, then put in a good word
about Lee to Tennessee's allegedly reluctant investors and personally reassured the film's cast including Mariah
Carey.
The plaintiff asserts that because the debt is still outstanding, that films such as Precious, The Paperboy and The
Butler are covered under the terms of the agreement. Plus, the obligations are ongoing. One project mentioned
is a television show titled "Empire" from Lee and Brian Grazer that's said to be slated to air on Fox in late 2014
or earlier 2015. When the summons was originally filed, Daniels' reps put out word that "the reported claims by
Damon Dash that he is owed money from investments in Lee Daniels’ films are completely without merit."
We've reached out to the defendant again and will provide any response. The complaint is also directed at Canyon
Entertainment president Simone Sheffield for allegedly defaming Dash. At one point, Sheffield allegedly stated Dash
was going to jail. Sheffield is also reported to have left a "disturbing voice mail" for Dash's attorney that was saved.
Not much detail is provided on that.
Source: THR