Where’s the Money? Concert Producer Asks

MIAMI (CN) - A Latin music producer claims a promoter took $192,000 in profits from a concert and waltzed with it to Argentina. Latin Events claims it paid defendant Valiente Concerts the $25,000 it asked for to coordinate the Miami concert, after which sole owner Magdalena Valiente claimed "she was sick," and booked to Argentina, with an extra $192,288 in her poke.

The brouhaha involves the Feb. 19 concert by Marco Antonio Solis and Ricardo Montaner.

The plaintiff claims that Valiente, sole owner and operator of her company, told it that "she had connections" at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, and that "by using its [Valiente's] name on the contract Latin Events would get a discounted rate for the event."

So Latin Events says it sent hr money for the deposit on the arena and advertising. "Valiente spent no money other than that provided by Latin Events to book, promote, run, or do the logistics for the event," according to the complaint in Miami-Dade County Court.

They sold 8,000 tickets and the concert "proceeds" owed to Latin Events came to $520,366, according to the complaint. But because Valiente had executed the contract with the American Airlines Arena, the money was deposited in her account at a Fort Lauderdale bank, Latin Events says.

But "Right after the event, Ms. Valiente advised Latin Events that she was sick. She then notified Latin Events she had to leave for Argentina on an emergency basis for a medical procedure," according to the complaint.

"Valiente, allegedly in Argentina, then advised that she wanted more monies for the event, $60,000 rather than the $25,000 that she agreed to. Latin Events demanded immediate payment of the remaining funds owed to it totaling $192,287.86."

In February, Valiente wired $118,392.34 from the Fort Lauderdale bank - apparently to Latin Events, though this is not perfectly clear - then "advised that she was in Argentina and that she did not intend to send any further monies to Latin Events. Moreover, she indicated that she did not intend to return to the United States. Upon information and belief, Valiente and Ms. Valiente intend to only operate out of Argentina."

Latin Events says it's called Valiente, called her accountant, and called anyone who knows her, but she refuses to pay the money owed.

Latin Events claims Valiente converted $192,287.36 of its money, which it wants back.

(Courthouse News acknowledges that the numbers provided in the complaint do not add up. It is unclear what happened to all of the $520,366 in "proceeds;" nor is it clear, if Valiente waltzed with $192,287.86, then "wired $118,392.34" and said "that she did not intend to send any further monies to Latin Events," why Latin Events demands damages of $192,287.86; nor is it clear why, in another section of the 11-page complaint, Latin Events demands "the return of the $100,365,86.")

At any rate, Latin Events demands $192,287.86, alleging conversion. It is represented by Aaron Resnick.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit