Former Manager Claims|Patti LaBelle Owes Him

PHILADELPHIA (CN) - Patti LaBelle owes her longtime manager $33,333 and two pieces of real estate, including his own home, the man claims in court.

Damascene Pierre Paul sued Patricia Edwards pka Patti LeBelle and Pattonium Inc., in the Court of Common Pleas.

Paul claims that from 1999 through June 2009 "personally managed LaBelle, a world-renowned performing and recording artist, assisting her with booking hundreds of live concert performances; producing dozens of records, songs and musical compositions; publishing numerous highly-acclaimed books; and assisting her in developing the Patti LaBelle 'Good Life' brand product line."

Paul says the two "parted ways" in June 2009. In March 2011, he says, "to conclude various outstanding matters between them," entered into a settlement agreement in which LaBelle agreed to "pay plaintiff a percentage of royalties and commissions from certain concerts, records, musical compositions, books and Good Life products booked and/or developed by her during plaintiff's management term;

"Transfer title of two pieces of real property to plaintiff within 30 days; and

"Pay plaintiff $125,000 through a series of installment payments, the final of which was in the amount of $33,333.00, to be paid no later than January 31, 2012.

"In exchange, plaintiff agreed to, inter alia, settle his defamation claims against LaBelle and transfer title to a 2007 Mercedes to LaBelle." (Reference to exhibit deleted.)

Paul says he kept his end of the bargain, but LaBelle and Pattonium, whose address is listed as the same as LeBelle's. "refuse to make the final settlement payment to plaintiff, refuse to provide any accounting to plaintiff of the royalties and commissions owed to him, and refuse to transfer title of the two real properties - one of which is plaintiff's personal residence - as required under the agreement."

Paul seeks more than $50,000 in damages for breach of contract and specific performance of the settlement agreement.

He is represented by George Bochetto, with Bochetto and Lentz.

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