After recently resolving a contentious legal dispute with rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Diageo finds itself entangled in another lawsuit, this time involving a prominent music artist and beverage entrepreneur. Curtis Jackson, widely known as 50 Cent, has initiated a $6 million embezzlement lawsuit against Beam Suntory, the parent company of Jim Beam and Makers Mark bourbons.
The lawsuit contends that Beam Suntory colluded in overcharging 50 Cent’s Sire Spirits business over several years, resulting in significant financial losses for him. Sire Spirits, recognized for its Branson Cognac and Le Chemin du Roi champagne brands, accuses Beam Suntory executives of inflating costs associated with Sire Spirits products and diverting millions of dollars for their own gain.
According to the complaint filed in a New York court, the lawsuit alleges that Beam Suntory incorporated inflated expenses into product pricing, causing 50 Cent’s business to overpay on various expenditures, including taxes, customs, and insurance, amounting to approximately $6 million.”
It alleges that Julius Grant, Beam’s chief commercial officer, received an annual payment of $500,000 from Beam Suntory and played a central role in orchestrating the scheme, which also involved club promoter Michael “Lord Michael” Caruso. 50 Cent contends that there was a deliberate effort to undermine Sire Spirits, as its downfall would have obscured the purported embezzlement scheme.
Speaking in a television interview, 50 Cent expressed frustration, stating, “This is the type of hindrance that startups face, slowing their growth momentum.” Beam Suntory, however, denies the accusations. In a statement, the company asserts, “The claims made by Mr. Jackson and Sire Spirits against Beam Suntory are unfounded and without merit. Many of these allegations have already been dismissed.”
Earlier this month, 50 Cent took to Instagram, declaring, “@Beam Suntory will be held accountable for their actions, mark my words. These corporate giants believe they are untouchable. I’ve incurred millions in legal expenses because of them. They will soon realize I am not to be trifled with.” Additionally, he shared on social media what he purported to be a letter from Beam Suntory to its business affiliates, alleging it was done without his knowledge. In the accompanying caption, he lambasted Beam Suntory and labeled its associates as “co-conspirators,” insinuating their involvement in the alleged scheme.”
“This is the letter @Beam Suntory sent without my consent to the individuals implicated in the scheme that has cost me millions. ‘Do I really need to hold a press conference to provide a detailed account of what transpired with convicted felon Mitchel E. Green, Julious Grant, Arnaud Fabre, and the individual Beam compensated with millions to promote my brands, ‘Lord Michael’ Caruso? This would make for compelling unscripted content.’
“Now they’re reaching a tipping point where everyone will see. This disruption unsettles them, making them extremely uneasy,” he disclosed to Fox 5 TV in New York. “People will begin scrutinizing it, and it’s going to be chaotic for them.”
In 2022, Mitchell Green, a former employee at Sire Spirits, admitted to wire fraud for his participation in the embezzlement scheme. As the ex-brand manager, he confessed to inflating prices on certain beverages, leading to the diversion of $2.2 million. He was terminated from his position and ordered to repay the company.”