Damon Dash, once a powerful figure in the hip-hop industry as the co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, is facing new legal troubles. The former business partner of Jay-Z is accused of hiding his wealth in a complex web of corporate entities to avoid paying a nearly $100,000 judgment. The lawsuit was filed by author Edwyna Brooks, who won a copyright infringement case against Dash in 2020. Brooks alleges that Dash has intentionally concealed assets from creditors, including herself, in an effort to dodge his financial obligations.
In her latest lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court, Brooks seeks to collect the judgment owed to her from a failed countersuit filed by Dash. According to Brooks, after winning her initial copyright case against Dash, the former rap mogul began transferring assets from his company, Poppington LLC, to a new entity called The Dash Group (TDG). Brooks claims this move was part of a strategy to hide Dash’s assets and avoid paying the judgment debt.
Brooks’ lawyer, Chris Brown, highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that Dash’s financial maneuvering had kept him from being held accountable.
“Mr. Dash has about $10 million in personal debt,” Brown said. “If we would have been made whole from the auction, this lawsuit would not be necessary.”
The auction refers to the sale of Dash’s stake in Roc-A-Fella Records, which was sold to the state for $1 million to settle his long-standing tax debts. However, the auction proceeds were far from enough to cover his mounting debts, leaving creditors scrambling to recover what they were owed.
The case began after Dash’s company, Poppington LLC, failed to meet its financial obligations, prompting Brooks to seek legal recourse. However, Dash allegedly moved Poppington’s assets to TDG in an effort to shield them from the lawsuit and prevent Brooks from collecting the judgment. The lawsuit describes this as a “fraudulent conveyance,” asserting that Dash deliberately merged the two entities to evade creditors.
The new lawsuit also points to Dash’s relationship with Kanye West as a key piece of evidence in the case. Dash previously received a substantial consulting fee from West through his company, Poppington LLC. According to bank records, once the assets of Poppington were transferred to TDG, the same consulting payments continued, but this time routed through the new company. This suggests that Dash used the transfer to conceal the payments and avoid satisfying his financial obligations, Brooks alleges.
In addition to the issues with his companies, Dash’s personal life is also under scrutiny. His girlfriend, Rachel Horn, is named as a co-defendant in the lawsuit, accused of helping Dash move assets between entities to obscure his true financial status. The lawsuit claims that Dash and Horn’s actions are part of a larger pattern of using their companies as a single entity, blurring the lines between personal and business finances to avoid liability.
This legal battle is part of a larger series of financial troubles for Damon Dash. In recent years, Dash has faced mounting debts and legal claims. In addition to the $300,000 copyright infringement judgment owed to Brooks, Dash is dealing with tax liens and other financial issues. His stake in Roc-A-Fella Records, once valued at millions, was sold at a steep loss at auction, further highlighting the extent of his financial problems.
Dash’s history of financial mismanagement and legal disputes paints a picture of a once-prominent mogul now struggling to maintain his wealth and reputation. While he has tried to downplay his financial issues, the latest lawsuit underscores the ongoing challenges he faces in settling his debts. For Brooks, the legal battle continues as she seeks to collect the judgment that Dash allegedly owes her.
Despite his financial troubles, Dash has remained outspoken in public, often criticizing those who question his business practices. In a recent statement about his financial situation, Dash claimed that he had been unfairly targeted and that his reputation was being damaged by lawsuits. “They’re just trying to f–k with my reputation,” Dash said, referring to the legal challenges he faces. His comments reflect his ongoing battle to protect his name and legacy in the face of mounting financial and legal issues.
As the lawsuit progresses, Brooks and her legal team are determined to hold Dash accountable for what they claim are fraudulent attempts to avoid paying his debts. Whether or not Dash can escape his financial obligations remains to be seen, but his legal woes are far from over.
