James Brown: Papa's Got A Brand New Lawsuit

Posted by Eriq Gardner

Two court-appointed trustees of the James Brown estate have unleashed a trumpet-blaring lawsuit accusing many of the late soul singer's handlers of conspiring to defraud Brown of millions of dollars.

Adele Pope and Robert Buchanan Jr., two lawyers appointed to look after Brown's assets, filed the lawsuit on Tuesday in South Carolina state court. One of the main targets is Brown's personal attorney, Albert Dallas, as well as the Greenberg Traurig law firm. The suit also pins blame for siphoning off at least $10 million since 1999 on Brown's longtime business managers, including David Cannon and a retired South Carolina judge Alfred Bradley

Brown's trustees were replaced by a judge after complaints of financial mismanagement by Brown's many heirs, who themselves have been at legal odds figuring out their proper place in the Brown family tree. The lawsuit alleges breach of fiduciary duty, negligence and conspiracy to defraud.