Bounty Killer Faces Legal Troubles

US company claiming damages for over US$125,000 for breach of contract

According to news coming out of New York, a promotions company has filed a lawsuit against Rodney Pryce a.k.a. Bounty Killer for breach of contract. On May 28 of this year, the release date of Bounty's double album for VP Records, "The Ghetto Dictionary," TM Enterprises filed the suit in the Supreme Court of the state of New York in the county of Westchester, USA.

The suit, indexed 9239/02 in the White Plains County Court of New York, and filed by the law firm Clair & Gjertsen, is suing the entertainer for US$125,000 with interest from December 31, 2000, among other expenses.

According to reports, sometime in the year 2000, the New York-based TM Enterprises contracted Mr. Pryce for five shows in the United States for the period of December 6-11, 2000. The dates were for shows in Spring Valley, New York, Boston, Rochester, Atlanta and Virginia.

Bounty reportedly charged the company a total of US$35,000 for the package, and an agreement was signed. He was reportedly advanced US$15,000 on November 16, 2000 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica. He signed a contract to the effect that the balance of US$20,000 would be paid in cash of US$4,000 at least one hour before his performance at each of the five events.

It is reported that one day before the first event, December 5, the touring party, which also included singer Richie Stephens, departed Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport without Bounty Killer on board the flight.

TM Enterprises said their representatives tried repeatedly to contact Bounty before the event, but they were unsuccessful. They said they were eventually notified that the DJ had a problem securing the necessary work permit, but were told "not to worry as things were under control."

However, TM Enterprises said the dates for the event came and went without any word from Bounty Killer or his management company. They also said efforts to reschedule new dates or to recover monies that were lost from the failed venture proved futile, so they were left with no other recourse but to take legal action.

"A judgment will be taken out against Bounty Killer and further proceedings will probably continue in terms of the statue of grand larceny. Also, motions will be filed with the US Department of Labor and the US INS Department pertaining to his actions," a representative from TM Enterprises reportedly said.

According to a section of the suit filed by the New York-based law firm Clair & Gjertsen, TM Enterprises is suing Rodney Pryce for incurred damages consisting of lost profits, expenses in the promotion of the events, the deposit funds paid and other consequential damages, all in the sum of US$125,000 with interest from December 31, 2000, as well as costs and disbursements as provided by law.

Although the promotions company had indicated that they were open for discussion, they said they intend to proceed with their present course of action against Rodney Pryce, given his lack of cooperation.

Efforts to contact Bounty Killer or his management went unanswered, as they were reportedly off the island.

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