Lawsuit launched against axed Bamboozle festival
A lawsuit has been launched against the ill-fated Bamboozle festival and its promoter over allegedly unpaid loans relating to the cancelled event.
The event was due to return to Bader Field, Atlantic City from 5-7 May following an 11-year absence, with artists such as Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, Joey Bada$$, Trippie Red, Rick Ross and A Boogie wit da Hoodie, but was axed just a week before it was due to go ahead, amid claims organisers had failed to submit the necessary paperwork.
NJ.com reported that city officials moved to cancel the event after not receiving the required fees and documents from organisers.
“There was an ongoing concern we were not getting the required documents from festival organisers in a timely matter,” said city business administrator Anthony Swan. “We asked for this information months in advance to protect the city and the taxpayers of Atlantic City. The event was fast approaching, and these issues were still unresolved.”
According to Loudwire, via NJ.com, it has now emerged that an executive called Anthony Martini of Little Silver has filed a lawsuit in New Jersey against Bamboozle Festival LLC and promoter John D’Esposito, alleging he loaned D’Esposito and four separate companies a total of US$500,000 (€458,000) at 20% interest to ensure the event went ahead.
Martini claims he only found out the festival was cancelled when he checked his social media
Martini, who is suing for $630,000 overall, plus interest, costs and fees, claims he only found out the festival was cancelled when he checked his social media, adding that D’Espito “wasn’t being responsive” when he tried to contact him.
Founded by D’Esposito, Bamboozle was staged at numerous New Jersey sites from 2003 to 2012 and featured acts including Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, 50 Cent, My Chemical Romance and Linkin Park.
However, controversy raged over premium tickets after D’Esposito allegedly repeatedly warned on social media that prices would soar as more high-profile headliners joined the bill. Instead, ticket prices fell when the promised big names failed to materialise.
NJ.com reported the New Jersey division of consumer affairs has received more than 20 complaints about Bamboozle about issues ranging from false advertising to refund requests.
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D’Esposito sued by Twisted Sister over ‘unpaid’ fee
Promoter John D’Esposito, the founder of New Jersey’s The Bamboozle festival and a former VP of talent at Live Nation, is being sued by Twisted Sister for US$150,000 in allegedly unpaid artist fees.
In a suit filed on behalf of Jema Productions, a company run by Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French, the ’80s hair-metallers claim they have only been paid $50,000 of the $200,000 they are owed for headlining The Rock Carnival, held in New Jersey from 30 September to 1 October 2016.
The festival – promoted by D’Esposito’s company Rock N Festivals – was hit by three days of storms, which D’Esposito says led to an agreement with the band’s agent, Coallier Entertainment’s Daniel Stanton, to postpone payment in favour of giving three opening bands their fees up front, reports the Associated Press.
Rock N Festivals sent Jema a cheque for $200,000 after the festival.
“Thousands of people were prevented from attending because of torrential rains and excessive winds”
However, according to documents filed in the Monmouth County superior court, the company’s lawyers wrote to French on 13 October saying there was no money in the account and urging him not to cash it.
D’Esposito says the Rock N Festivals “suffered catastrophic economic losses” as a result of the wet weather, with “thousands of people” prevented from attending due to “torrential rains and excessive winds”.
The band claim they were paid $50,000 on 7 December 2016, but have yet to receive the outstanding balance.
“After a stellar 14-year reunion in which we played in 32 countries all around the world, to have this happen at the final show in the New York area is very disheartening to the band,” French tells AP.
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