Usher Sues Bryan-Michael Cox And Other Associates: Here’s Why – Blavity
Usher has filed a lawsuit against one of his top music producers and other business associates over a loan for a restaurant in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood that never opened.
Who was involved in the business initiative?
The singer-songwriter filed the complaint in Fulton County’s Superior Court, stating that he had lent $1.7 million in 2024 to music producers Byran-Michael Cox, Keith Thomas and Charles Hughes Ray to purchase a $6.35 million property as a restaurant and lounge called Homage ATL, according to CBS News.
The singer said he didn’t agree to invest in the business venture, but decided to loan the group the funds to open the planned property.
The business partners and entertainment lawyer Alcide Honoré were listed as defendants in the suit, along with several of their affiliated companies, per CBS News.
The loan conditions and repayment, explained
Usher claimed the business partners needed the money quickly to purchase the property, and he reportedly wired the $1.7 million to Honoré’s attorney’s trust account on Jan. 8, 2025. Georgia law requires that the funds be kept safely in the account and used only for their intended purpose, according to CBS News. But the property was never purchased.
According to court filings, the negotiations for the loan had dragged on for months after he inquired about repayment. Usher said he received $1 million in August but has yet to receive the remaining $700,000.
The 47-year-old stated that Honoré admitted during a phone call that the remaining funds had been used for “other purposes,” despite being intended to remain untouched in the trust account. In a separate conversation, Honoré revealed to Usher’s team that the money was moved to a title company, but he provided no documentation to support the claim.
What are the defendants accused of?
The lawsuit accuses Honoré of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and conversion, claiming the other defendants, the “Defendant Investor Group,” breached their agreement by failing to purchase the property and retaining money that did not belong to them.
According to the suit, Usher is seeking $4.9 million: $700,000 for each of the seven claims, plus interest, legal fees and punitive damages.
Since the complaint was filed, Cox addressed the situation on Instagram, asserting his name will eventually be cleared of any wrongdoing.
“I’ve learned a lot recently about being careful with who you choose to invest in… While the situation has been disappointing, I know my name will be cleared,” he wrote, adding he was only a “passive minority shareholder” in the deal.
Cox also mentioned there’s no bad blood between Usher and him, writing, “While I’m unable to share more details right now, I want to make one thing absolutely clear: my 27-year friendship with @usher remains fully intact.”
The post Usher Sues Bryan-Michael Cox And Other Associates: Here’s Why appeared first on Blavity.
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