Damon Dash is no stranger to controversy, but his propensity to speak his mind this time might cost him dearly again. The Roc-A-Fella co-founder, who already had plenty of legal woes, is now accused of sinking a director's multi-million-dollar payday with his fiery comments on a podcast.
An L.A.-based filmmaker, Josh Webber, filed a $4 million lawsuit against Dash, alleging that the music mogul's March 30 episode "Earn Your Leisure" cost him a major directorial deal. Webber was next in line to direct the thriller Fast Life, which had Billy Bob Thornton and Scott Eastwood attached. But then everything came crashing down, reportedly because of Dash's words.
So what did Dash say that unleashed this legal tempest?
The Paid in Full producer reopened old wounds, reviving allegations that Webber and his crew had "stolen" the movie Dear Frank from him in 2018. This isn't some petty blister between industries. Dash was kicked off that film after it was said to have wreaked havoc on set. A court ruled against him in 2022, awarding Webber and Muddy Water Pictures a staggering $805,000 in damages.
But instead of moving on, Dash used his podcast appearance to vent, giving Webber and his attorney, Christopher Brown, a few choice words. Webber says these public attacks tarnished his reputation, frightened investors, and ultimately caused him to get dropped from his lucrative Fast Life deal.
Webber isn't taking it lightly but is suing Dash again, asking for millions in damages.
This is another chapter in Dash's lengthy legal history. From estrangement from former Roc-A-Fella partner Jay-Z to financial difficulties that led him to auction off his interest in Reasonable Doubt, his path has been anything but straightforward. And the new lawsuit indicates that a freewheeling persona could still have pricey repercussions.
Will Dash pay a financial price for what he said? Or will this devolve into yet another protracted industry beef? One thing's for sure: wherever Damon Dash goes, drama is never too far behind.
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