Connor Franta Files Lawsuit Against Heard Well Co-Founders Over Alleged Embezzlement
Popular YouTuber Connor Franta has lodged serious allegations against his business partners, claiming they have misappropriated over $1 million from Heard Well, a music label associated with social media influencers. His co-founders vehemently deny these accusations.
The lawsuit, filed in the California Superior Court this week, targets Franta’s co-founders at Heard Well, along with the company’s business manager, who is also the father of one of the co-founders. Franta asserts that the manager failed to address the alleged misconduct effectively.
Allegations of Mismanagement and Personal Use
At the center of the lawsuit are claims that co-founder Jeremy Wineberg misused the company’s American Express Black Card for various personal expenditures, including travel, tattoos, concert tickets, and even plastic surgery. Franta contends that Wineberg “systematically looted”the company and redirected funds to settle personal credit card debts.
Another co-founder, Andrew Graham, who previously worked as Franta’s agent at CAA, is also accused of funneling significant sums from Heard Well for personal usage. The lawsuit alleges that this mismanagement has severely impacted the financial health of the company, prompting Franta to take legal action.
The Role of CAA and Claims of Negligence
CAA, a leading talent agency in Hollywood representing influencers from platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, is not implicated in the lawsuit. Meanwhile, Franta claims that Jeremy Wineberg and Graham treated the company’s profits as a “personal piggy bank.” Moreover, he alleges that the management team at Lindsay Wineberg & Associates displayed negligence by permitting over $1 million to be misappropriated.
Response from Wineberg and Graham
In response to the allegations, Wineberg’s attorney, Bryan Sullivan, has asserted that his client did not partake in any wrongdoing. Similarly, John Shenk, the attorney for Graham, has denied the claims while confirming that Graham intends to defend himself in court. Graham has also indicated that he no longer represents Franta, and CAA’s involvement has ended.
Franta’s Background and the Foundation of Heard Well
With a substantial following of 4.8 million subscribers on YouTube and as the author of A Work in Progress, Franta co-established Heard Well in 2015, starting with an initial investment of $2,000 each, as outlined in their operating agreement. Throughout nearly a decade of business, Heard Well has produced numerous albums; however, the lawsuit emphasizes that Franta claims he has barely seen any profits during this period.
Franta further alleges that he became aware of financial discrepancies earlier this spring when he discovered delayed royalty payments after an online video accused the company of fraudulent activities. Additionally, he has reported being barred from accessing the company’s social media platforms.
In a statement, Franta emphasized his commitment to integrity and respect within his professional relationships, particularly with fellow creators. He stated, “Although the issue had only recently surfaced, I took immediate action this week to protect the company and pursue all necessary legal remedies.”
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