COVID relief fraud? Big names in music allegedly misuse funds

Prominent musicians accused of misusing COVID-19 relief funds.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government introduced the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) to support struggling arts venues and performers. However, recent reports reveal that several affluent musicians exploited these COVID-19 relief funds for personal luxuries.

Lil Wayne, for instance, received an $8.9 million grant. Instead of aiding his crew or business operations, he allegedly spent over $1.3 million on private jets and more than $460,000 on designer clothing from brands like Gucci and Balenciaga. Additionally, he reportedly used nearly $15,000 for flights and luxury hotel stays for individuals unrelated to his tours. Notably, he billed taxpayers almost $88,000 for a New Year’s Eve concert in 2021 that he ultimately cancelled.

Chris Brown’s company, CBE Touring, secured a $10 million grant. Brown allegedly paid himself $5.1 million from these funds and spent approximately $80,000 on a lavish birthday party. The celebration featured an LED dance floor, “atmosphere models,” and extravagant bottle service. He also reportedly charged $24,000 for transporting his tour bus to Tulum, Mexico, for a non-performance-related trip.

DJ Marshmello, whose real name is Christopher Comstock, received $9.9 million in SVOG funds. He reportedly allocated the entire amount to himself, justifying it by citing his 2019 touring income, which exceeded the grant sum.

Other artists, such as Steve Aoki and members of the band Shinedown, also reportedly misused relief funds. Aoki allegedly paid himself $1.9 million out of his company’s $2.4 million grant, while Shinedown’s members reportedly divided $2.5 million among themselves, allocating significantly less to their touring staff.

These revelations have sparked criticism, highlighting the lack of oversight in the distribution of COVID-19 relief funds. The SVOG program aimed to support venues and artists facing financial hardships due to the pandemic. However, the absence of stringent eligibility criteria allowed wealthy musicians to access and misuse these funds, diverting resources away from those in genuine need.

This situation emphasises the necessity for stricter regulations and oversight in future relief programs to ensure that aid reaches its intended recipients and is used appropriately.