The co-founder of the group, which also includes Wyclef Jean, sued the 49-year-old singer for fraud and breach of contract, along with other claims following their shortened 2023 tour and the The Miseducation Anniversary Tour that was canceled earlier this year.
Keep reading to find out more...
In his suit, via Variety, Pras claims Lauryn "grossly mismanaged the setup, marketing and budgeting of" the 2023 tour, which he says "was actually a veiled and devious attempt to make a big score for herself." He also claims she secretly siphoned off money from the tour guarantees, and alleges a "breach of fiduciary duty and refusal to permit an audit" of the tour.
The lawsuit claims the 2023 tour should have been "a huge commercial success, since most of shows for the entire arena size tour were sold out in advance," but Pras left empty-handed as Lauryn controlled the budget "that was so bloated with unnecessary and, most likely fictitious, expenses, that it seemed designed to lose money."
She then "abruptly" canceled the second half of tour, citing "serious vocal strain."
"Hill's arrogance was again demonstrated when she unilaterally rejected a $5 Million offer [to play Coachella]. The reason was that her ego was bruised since the group No Doubt would be receiving top billing over The Fugees," the lawsuit states. "Hill never told Pras about the offer or that she had was rejected it. Pras only learned about it when it was too late, after Hill, in an astonishing display of hubris, asked Pras if he would agree to perform a few Fugees songs for free as the opening act for her son, 'YG' Marley, who was slated to perform at the same Coachella festival."
In a response to the lawsuit, Lauryn's attorney, Howard King, slams the lawsuit as "desperate and unfortunate," and states it is "packed with lies and intentionally disparaging remarks."
"It is particularly disappointing that the suit fails to reveal that Pras was grossly over advanced for the last tour to help him pay his mounting legal bills," King said. "His failure to show appreciation for the financial help Ms. Hill has afforded him in his time of need is disappointing. This action will be aggressively defended and defeated."
Read Lauryn Hill's full statement, via Variety, in response to the lawsuit below...
Some clarity and facts need to be presented. I've been silent and pushing through because I understood that Pras was under duress because of his legal battles and that this was perhaps affecting his judgment, state of mind and character.
Fact #1: This baseless lawsuit by Pras is full of false claims and unwarranted attacks. It notably omits that he was advanced overpayment for the last tour and has failed to repay substantial loans extended by myself as an act of goodwill. Last year's tour was put together to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. It was being planned whether the Fugees were involved or not.
Fact #2: The tour was expanded to incorporate the Fugees because I found out that Pras was in trouble and would need money to aid his legal defense.
Fact #3: Pras was given a $3M advance for the tour, which he said he required to pay his legal fees. Wyclef and Myself deferred our full advances to make sure he had what he needed and was able to go. I covered most of the tour expenses, as the majority of the tour advance had gone to Pras. An agreement was put in place to secure the repayment of the money he was advanced. Pras has not paid back the money he was advanced, and is currently in breach of this agreement.
Fact #4: Because my tour, band, production, and set up were already happening, the Fugees set utilized this same production. I absorbed most of the expenses myself, produced the show, put together the entire set (with Wyclef's participation for the Fugees and Wyclef's set). Pras basically just had to show up and perform.
Fact #5: As of the last tour Pras thanked me for 'saving his life'. (I have the receipts.)
Fact #6: I am not in the business of kicking anyone, especially when they're down, which is why I haven't responded to date. It is absolutely disheartening to see Pras in this position, my band mate and someone I considered a friend but this leads us to Fact #7, which probably should have been Fact #1...
Fact #7: I was not in Pras' life when he decided to make the unfortunate decision that lead to his current legal troubles. I did not advise that he make that decision and therefore am in no way responsible for his decision and its consequences though I have taken it upon myself to help. Despite his attacks, I am still compassionate and hope things work out for him.