Angry Gaga Claims Producer Took Advantage Of Her

Stefani Joanne Germanotta, better known to the masses as Lady Gaga, is calling out music producer Robert Fusari after he filed a $30 million lawsuit against her. In it he says the performer is cheating him out of his share of her success, which he claims to be an integral part of. When he received a check from her in December, he was told it was the last, yet claims he is entitled to 20% of her earnings, per an agreement made prior to her skyrocketing success. In January, however, he told the Star-Ledger that he would have simply taken a "thank you."

Now Gaga says he took advantage of her, and has filed papers in Manhattan Supreme Court. The papers claim he "induced" her into an "unlawful arrangement" where Fusari would get 20% from her first four albums as well as producer fees, even if he didn't do the producing. According to the Post, she is seeking a court order to declare that contract void and wants him to return any money he's already collected.

Fusari claimed the two were lovers during the time Germanotta made her transformation into Gaga, and his lawsuit began with this quote: "Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned/ Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned." However, a source told the Post that Gaga was just 20 years old at the time, to Fusari's 38, saying, "I didn't know he was dating her... kind of creepy."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on March 20, 2010 5:30 PM

Comments [rss]

Rory Dolan

The bitch is from Yonkers. Don;t give a F*&^ what she claims.

NannyState

They both should be DNA tested before this case progresses any further. Her: to confirm her gender, and him: to confirm a biological connection to humanity.

Powerhugs

This is a story as old as showbiz itself....Sleazebag agent plucks unknown out of thin air and develops her and then she gets big and probably changes management and is forced to backstab the people that got her there and wants to move on scotfree..Pay up or shut up...

kittycatgirlmeow

It's really not creepy since she looks 30, at least. I was shocked when I found out she's only 23 years old, lol.

S.K.

We should sue Robert Fusari for unleashing Lady Gaga on the world. Now, I have to contend with iPod listeners on my commute, sitting next to me, blasting loud "Bad Romance."

taracorinne

if it's not a written contract, there are limits on how long it can last legally. verbal contracts have 1 year limits.

Spook

What does the fact that I can't name a single one of her songs say about me????

justthinkin

It say's that you actually have taste. Madonna did the same thing to Jellybean Benitez..."make me a success, but don't expect to share it"

babyhitler

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah! Mum-mum-mum-mum-mah! GaGa-oo-la-la! I just hope they sing this all day long at the court. over and over again until their heads explode.

CaptainMXC

So...it's not ok for credit card companies to screw people with bs fees that are ridiculous, but it is ok for him to ask to get producing money even if he does absolutely no work? The contract was a load of garbage. It's like an agent getting a movie star her first movie and saying "Well, you are going to be paying me 20% of your income for the next 10 years even if I have nothing to do with you or getting you the next movies you get" Maybe if the contract said her first born son, people would be up in arms then...

NannyState

Pay the pimp or get off the streets.

dr zippy

Isn't her name Stefani?

theboneranger

its probably true, no one makes it that big on their own.

a contract is a contract, an agreement is an agreement.

and him being 38 and her being 20 really has nothing to do with anything... if it wasnt a problem then, it really shouldnt be a problem now.