Kelly Clarkson has claimed her estranged husband Brandon Blackstock and his management company, Starstruck Management, defrauded her and never had a license to act as her manager.
Clarkson alleges in a filing submitted to the California Labor Commission that her agreement with Starstruck Management was a ‘fraudulent and subterfuge device’ allowing them to carry out ‘illegal services’ as her agent, even though they were not licensed to do so in California, according to documents obtained by OK! Magazine.
The singer’s legal team want the agreement voided, a refund for all past payments made by Clarkson, and a stop to any further payments to the company.
An A-lister who is one of the biggest earners in the industry, TMZ reports Kelly stands to have a ‘fortune’ refunded to her after paying large commissions to the company during her 13 year run with them.
Allegations: Kelly Clarkson has claimed her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock and his management company, Starstruck Management, defrauded her and never had a license to act as her manager
Clarkson’s father-in-law Narvel Blackstock, who owns Starstruck Management, filed a lawsuit against her in October with allegations she still owed them $1.5 million in commissions, on top of another $4 million she was set to pay them as a result of her judging role on The Voice.
Narvel, his son Brandon, and the management company are all named as respondents in the petition.
‘Based on the wrongful acts and conduct of [Starstruck Management and the Blackstocks] … all agreements between the parties, should be declared void and unenforceable, no monies should be paid by Petitioners to Respondents, and all monies previously paid by Petitioners to Respondents should be disgorged from Respondents, forthwith,’ the petition reads.
Clarkson’s petition claims Starstruck demanded ‘unconscionable fees and compensation… for illegal services’, acted ‘in conflict of interest with the best interest of Petitioners’, and gave ‘false information’.
Refund: Clarkson’s legal team want to put a stop to all payments to the company, in addition to a refund of previously paid fees
The petition also alleges Starstruck made ‘false representations to and/or concealing material information from [Clarkson] concerning certain matters relating to [Starstruck’s] engagement’, which was ‘in violation of Section 1700.32 of the California Labor Code.’
Clarkson also alleges the company failed the get her written approval to act as her agent.
Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for Starstruck, told TMZ of the filing: ‘The labor petition conveniently ignores the fact that Kelly had her own licensed talent agency CAA at all times. While Starstruck Management Group provided talent management services on her behalf, it did so at all times that CAA was her agency of record.’
‘It is unfortunate that Kelly is again attempting to avoid paying commissions that are due and owing to Starstruck to try and achieve some perceived advantage in her ongoing custody and divorce proceedings.’
Legal battle: OK! reports the ruling will likely be done by February
DailyMail.com have contacted representatives for Clarkson for comment.
OK! reports the ruling will likely be done by February.
Should Kelly win the case, the lawsuit filed against her by her father-in-law may be struck down.
The legal battle is just the latest development amid Kelly’s ongoing divorce from Brandon.
Family ties: Clarkson shares daughter River Rose and son Remington Alexander with her ex
After seven years of marriage and two children together, the couple separated earlier this year.
Kelly married Brandon at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee in 2013, and together they welcomed daughter River Rose, six, and son Remington Alexander, four.
Kelly has since been awarded primary physical custody of their two children.
The judge’s ruling on custody prompted Blackstock to file additional legal documents Monday seeking $436,000-a-month in support payments from Clarkson.
He is asking for $301,000 in spousal support and $135,000 in child support, according to TMZ.
He is also requesting that his soon-to-be ex-wife cover $2 million in legal fees.
Happier times: Clarkson with Brandon, their two children, and his children from a previous marriage