Calvin Harris Scores $13.5 Million Verdict in Dispute with Ex-Manager Over Real Estate Flop.
Calvin Harris, the Scottish DJ and producer, has secured a significant judgment in his ongoing dispute with ex-business manager Thomas St. John over a failed real estate venture called CMNTY Culture Campus. In a ruling by retired federal judge Michael R. Wilner, Harris was awarded $13.5 million, with the majority of that amount attributed to unpaid loans and interest.
The arbitration proceedings began earlier this summer, when Harris alleged that St. John had mismanaged the finances of his accounts, siphoning off $22 million towards CMNTY Culture Campus in 2023. However, St. John has consistently denied these claims, describing them as "categorically false" and stating that Harris was an equal partner in the venture.
St. John did secure a loan of $10 million from Harris to fund CMNTY Culture, but failed to repay it by its due date. The judge ruled that St. John is liable for the full amount of $13.438.666.55, which includes the loan principal, interest payments, origination fees, and late charges.
The dispute over the $12 million equity investment made by Harris in CMNTY Culture remains unresolved, with the issue being litigated on in ongoing arbitration. Meanwhile, St. John's future as a business manager appears uncertain, with his firm declaring bankruptcy last year and facing lawsuits from multiple clients, including fellow EDM artist Eric Prydz.
The collapse of CMNTY Culture Campus was attributed to poor market conditions and a shift towards residential real estate, with the project ultimately defaulting on its $35 million loan from Parkview Financial. The lender foreclosed on the property in December, purchasing it for $25 million, and has now filed a lawsuit against St. John seeking an additional $16 million.
The judgment against St. John marks a significant victory for Harris, who will likely use this win as leverage in his ongoing disputes with his ex-manager and other clients.
Calvin Harris, the Scottish DJ and producer, has secured a significant judgment in his ongoing dispute with ex-business manager Thomas St. John over a failed real estate venture called CMNTY Culture Campus. In a ruling by retired federal judge Michael R. Wilner, Harris was awarded $13.5 million, with the majority of that amount attributed to unpaid loans and interest.
The arbitration proceedings began earlier this summer, when Harris alleged that St. John had mismanaged the finances of his accounts, siphoning off $22 million towards CMNTY Culture Campus in 2023. However, St. John has consistently denied these claims, describing them as "categorically false" and stating that Harris was an equal partner in the venture.
St. John did secure a loan of $10 million from Harris to fund CMNTY Culture, but failed to repay it by its due date. The judge ruled that St. John is liable for the full amount of $13.438.666.55, which includes the loan principal, interest payments, origination fees, and late charges.
The dispute over the $12 million equity investment made by Harris in CMNTY Culture remains unresolved, with the issue being litigated on in ongoing arbitration. Meanwhile, St. John's future as a business manager appears uncertain, with his firm declaring bankruptcy last year and facing lawsuits from multiple clients, including fellow EDM artist Eric Prydz.
The collapse of CMNTY Culture Campus was attributed to poor market conditions and a shift towards residential real estate, with the project ultimately defaulting on its $35 million loan from Parkview Financial. The lender foreclosed on the property in December, purchasing it for $25 million, and has now filed a lawsuit against St. John seeking an additional $16 million.
The judgment against St. John marks a significant victory for Harris, who will likely use this win as leverage in his ongoing disputes with his ex-manager and other clients.