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In a
lawsuit filed in Manhattan's
state Supreme Court, the R&B singer says he was
persuaded to sign on May 8, 2007, with King Music Group
Inc., a company that a personal acquaintance, Michael
Bourne of
Memphis, Tenn.,
said he owned.
Terms
of the contract gave Ginuwine, whose real name is Elgin
Baylor Lumpkin, $1.75 million to record his first album
with King, including a $500,000 advance, according to
court papers. In nearly five months, the singer hasn't
made any records and hasn't been paid a cent, the
lawsuit said.
In
addition, the lawsuit said, there is no corporate record
for King Music Group Inc. anywhere in
New York, California,
Florida or
Tennessee.
The
lawsuit accuses King Music and Bourne of breach of
contract, fraud and negligent misrepresentation. It asks
for a total of $4 million in damages.
Ginuwine's lawyer, Corey D. Boddie, said Thursday that
his client is now unable to record anywhere else. He
said the singer could be sued if he made records for
another company while under contract to King.
Boddie said he has been unable to contact Bourne.
Bourne's telephone number in
Memphis was unlisted and
directory assistance had no listing for King Music
Group.
Ginuwine's albums include "Back II Da Basics," "Ginuwine
... The Bachelor" and "The Life."
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