Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube were dealt a legal blow in Los Angeles after a judge denied their request to avoid testifying in a $1.3 million fraud lawsuit tied to their Mount Westmore supergroup.
On October 22, a Superior Court judge ruled the Hip-Hop icons couldn’t sidestep depositions in the civil case brought by Westside Merchandising, Us Weekly reports. The court found their claim of having no relevant knowledge didn’t hold up, especially since both were “actual signatories” on the contested agreement.
The lawsuit alleges Snoop and Ice Cube failed to fulfill their end of a 2022 merchandising deal.
Westside claims they paid $1.3 million in advances, expecting Mount Westmore to complete a 60-date tour across the U.S. and Europe. Instead, the group only performed three shows in 2022 and none in 2023 or 2024, according to court filings.
Westside also accused the rap veterans of skipping out on required promotional content.
“[Westside Merchandising] was also assured that Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube, both of whom were defined as key men under the [agreement], would publicize and promote the agreement by producing a promotional video to be posted on [Mount Westmore’s] social media accounts and by appearing at a retail location of Westside’s choice,” the company’s attorney wrote. “None of this happened.”
The defendants had asked for a protective order to avoid being questioned under oath, offering instead to appear remotely for no more than two hours. The judge rejected that proposal, finding that Westside’s deposition request wasn’t intended to harass or embarrass the artists.
The lawsuit also names E-40 and Too Short, though both rappers said they were not parties to the contract in question. Mount Westmore released their debut album in 2022.
Snoop Dogg & Ice Cube Accused Of Dodging Questions “Relating To Their Swindle”
Westside’s attorney John Fowler didn’t hold back in his criticism. “Defendants in this case are trying to hide from having their depositions taken because they are scared of answering difficult questions relating to their swindle,” he told Us Weekly. “The defendants took my client’s money, promising to be an upstanding partner focused on touring and merchandising efforts, only to run away with seven figures of funding, and failing to provide anything in return.”
Fowler added, “My clients were sold a bill of goods, and have lost millions of dollars in merchandising opportunities, while the defendants have enriched themselves at my client’s expense.”
On the other side, defense attorney Frank Seddigh pushed back, insisting the group “have always conducted their business in good faith and with integrity.” He added “despite multiple attempts to resolve this matter amicably, Westside Merchandising has refused to cooperate or engage in good-faith discussions.”