As reported by Black Enterprise, Hip-Hop artist and entrepreneur 50 Cent has filed a 70-page lawsuit in the New York State Supreme Court, alleging that Beam Suntory and others embezzled millions of dollars from his company, Sire Spirits. The lawsuit states that the defendants overcharged the rapper's company and split the difference, leading to a loss of more than $6 million. Craig Weiner, an attorney for Sire Spirits, claims that the illicit commissions were added to the price of the product, causing Sire Spirits to overpay on taxes, customs and duties, and insurance. Weiner also alleges that Julious Grant, Beam Suntory's Chief Commercial Officer, facilitated the entire fraud.
In a recent Instagram posting, 50 warns the defendants that he needs his money soon.
“I’m not the guy you want to get started. In nicest way I’m gonna need my money by Monday. 🤨”
“Because these illicit commissions were baked into the price of the product, Sire Spirits overpaid on taxes, overpaid on customs and duties, overpaid on insurance, which are marked towards the value of the product,” Weiner said.
“Beam Suntory’s role here is extraordinarily troubling. Beam Suntory’s Chief Commercial Officer, a gentleman by the name of Julious Grant, acting as an employee, as an officer of the company, acting under the actual and parent authority of Beam Suntory facilitated the entire fraud as we plead in our complaint.”
A spokesperson for Beam Suntory denied the charges leveled against the company in a statement Fox 5 NY, stating that they had no involvement in or knowledge of the fraudulent activity alleged in the complaint. The spokesperson also said that the company had honored all prior obligations to 50 Cent and Sire Spirits.
“Beam Suntory vehemently denies all allegations of wrongdoing. It had no involvement in or knowledge of the fraudulent activity alleged in the complaint, and any allegation to the contrary has no basis in fact. It is undisputed that we honored all prior obligations to Mr. Jackson and Sire Spirits, and it is very unfortunate that the parties involved continue to misrepresent the facts and misdirect blame in an attempt to recover fees and damages.”
This is not the first instance of financial wrongdoing involving Sire Spirits. In August 2022, Mitchell Green, the former Director of Brand Management for Sire Spirits, reportedly siphoned $2.2 million from the company by selling products at a higher price and receiving kickbacks from wholesalers. Court records show that Green labeled the funds he was given as "agency fees." Green admitted to his scheme in February 2020, after allegedly being extorted by an individual who threatened to expose his past transgressions. Sire Spirits terminated Green and took him to arbitration.
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