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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Photog Sues Rapper for $250,000 Computer

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CN) - Hip-hop singer Machine Gun Kelly has a man's laptop with $250,000 worth of recording equipment and data on it and won't give it back, the photographer claims in court.

Matthew McMahon claims the rapper hired him to "perform video photograph on a 24hr/7 day availability," then "borrowed" the laptop, which has gone missing.

McMahon sued the rapper, whose real name is Richard Colson Baker, his record label EST 19XXLLC, Baker's manager James McMillen, Brandon Allen, and Ashleigh VeVerka, at whose home the laptop allegedly was kept until it disappeared.

McMahon claims the laptop contains about 500 gigabytes of "work product and original intellectual property material in the form of photographic and videotaped footage." He says its value is "inestimable," and "in excess of $250,000."

"Beginning in August 2013, McMahon repeatedly demanded and directed defendants herein to return and deliver the property to him," he says in the lawsuit. "It is unclear at this time which individual defendant currently has possession of the property."

McMahon says he has no idea where the laptop is, but believes it may be in Mayfield Heights, Ohio.

Loss of the laptop has prevented him from being able to produce a full portfolio of his work for the period 2010 to the present, McMahon. It's hurt his business as he can't reproduce images for other clients upon their request.

He seeks replevin, damages and punitive damages for wrongful detention, conversion, civil theft and unfair trade.

He is represented by Alan Neigher, with Byelas and Neigher, of Westport.

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