Music producer Timbaland has filed a $15 million lawsuit against his former manager and business manager, accusing them of financial misconduct, fraud, and misusing his assets.
The lawsuit, filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, names Gary Marella, Bruce Seckendorf and several associated businesses as defendants. Timbaland, whose real name is Timothy Mosley, alleges that the executives abused their positions of trust to collect unauthorised payments, conceal financial liabilities and mishandle his money.
According to the 65-page complaint, Marella allegedly collected millions of dollars in unauthorised commissions and reimbursements, used Timbaland’s funds to cover expenses for his employees and falsified financial records to hide payments.
The producer also accuses Seckendorf and his business management firm of failing to pay his mortgage and federal taxes, resulting in financial penalties and putting his home at risk of foreclosure.
Foreclosure Notice Led to Financial Investigation
Timbaland’s lawsuit claims he discovered the alleged financial problems after receiving a foreclosure notice at his home last year.
He reportedly contacted Seckendorf for an explanation but was dissatisfied with the response. The producer subsequently hired independent legal and financial representatives to investigate his accounts.
The investigation allegedly uncovered unauthorised transactions, undisclosed liabilities, questionable credit-card arrangements and loans that Timbaland says he never knowingly approved.
The complaint further claims that nearly $900,000 was paid to the defendants and lawyers they engaged over five months, while mortgage arrears allegedly remained unpaid for a year.
Former Manager Denies Allegations
Marella has strongly rejected Timbaland’s accusations, arguing that the producer is attempting to blame others for his own financial decisions.
In his response, Marella claimed that Timbaland was already struggling financially when he began managing him in 2017. He also said their business relationship generated approximately $75 million over nine years.
Marella defended the commissions he received from Timbaland’s business transactions, including the producer’s music catalogue sale to Hipgnosis Songs Fund and payments connected to the Verzuz platform.
He maintained that Timbaland knew about the commission arrangements and approved the payments.
Seckendorf and his firm had not immediately responded to requests for comment at the time of the report.
Verzuz and Beatclub Also Feature in the Lawsuit
The legal dispute also involves two major business ventures associated with Timbaland.
The producer alleges that Marella received more than he was entitled to from payments connected to Verzuz, the popular music battle platform he co-founded with Swizz Beatz.
The lawsuit also accuses Marella of mismanaging Beatclub, the music production and beat marketplace they launched together. Timbaland claims the former manager misused company funds, failed to meet financial obligations, and used the business to cover financial problems.
Marella disputes the allegations, describing Beatclub as a startup that experienced financial difficulties and required restructuring. He said both men contributed more than $1 million of their own money to the venture.
Timbaland Seeks $15 Million in Damages
Beyond fraud and breach of fiduciary duty, Timbaland’s lawsuit includes claims involving civil theft, fraudulent concealment, breach of contract and the alleged unauthorised use of his name and likeness.
The producer seeks financial compensation, a full accounting of his assets, and an end to what he describes as the defendants’ unauthorised use of his identity for their benefit.
The case marks another major legal dispute involving the financial management of the Grammy-winning producer’s business interests.
However, the allegations remain unproven, and the defendants will have the opportunity to respond through the legal process.