NEW YORK, August 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- A Taiwanese company wins a $724,000 dollar lawsuit against US artist talent agency when it failed to deliver a gig involving the famed rapper Nelly. The Taiwanese event company, the LOOP Production, filed a federal lawsuit against U.S. based Capital Connections Agency on Apr. 27th, 2010, after the LOOP attempted to book the St. Louis rapper Nelly for a gig on New Year's Eve that never happened.
Capital Connections Agency, abbreviated as CCA, which bears a striking resemblance with CAA, the largest talent agency in North America. Billing itself as the representative of president Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, etc. According to New York Daily, in October 2009, the LOOP Production came in contact with CCA in order to book Nelly for a gig on New Year's Eve in Taiwan, believing that the company was directly responsible for the artist management of the rapper. After signing a contract with CCA president Durbert O'Neal Brandon Jr., the LOOP wired $40,000 to CCA to secure Nelly for the gig. Days later, CCA claims that they had received the money a day late, accusing the LOOP of breaching the contract.
After months of investigation and negotiation with CCA in the hope of receiving a complete refund, the LOOP eventually found out from Nelly's business manager, who denied to have ever heard of CCA. Even with the official denial from Nelly's real management, CCA still refused to refund the deposit.
On Apr. 27th, 2010, the LOOP filed a lawsuit with the United States District Court Southern District of New York, claiming CCA committed common law fraud and fraudulent inducement, RICO violation, aiding and abetting fraud, and breach of contract.
On June 6th, 2011, United States District Judge Laura Swain has ordered CCA and all other defendants including Escobar Entertainment, Inc., Durbert O'Neal Brandon Jr., Melvin Breeden, and Alisha E. Harris to pay up to $724,000 dollars in total accumulative damages.
