Damon Dash is facing a significant setback as a New York judge has ruled that he must sell his shares in Roc-A-Fella, a decision that comes against his wishes and those of his former friend and business partner, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter. This ruling stems from Dash’s failure to satisfy a $823,000 judgment awarded to movie producer Josh Weber over a defamation and copyright infringement case related to the 2016 film “Dear Frank.”
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The legal friction began when Weber dismissed Dash from directing a film for Muddy Waters Pictures, alleging Dash’s unfitness for the role. Dash retaliated by accusing Weber of commandeering the movie’s footage and then distributing it under a new title, “The Last.” The conflict escalated into a court battle, culminating in Weber targeting Dash’s shares in Roc-A-Fella to collect on the judgment owed to him.
Jay-Z and another Roc-A-Fella co-founder, Kareem “Biggs” Burke, voiced their opposition to the sale of Dash’s shares, pointing to company bylaws that require board approval for such transactions. However, their efforts were nullified by U.S. Magistrate Robert W. Lehrburger’s decisive 15-page ruling. Lehrburger clarified that Dash’s one-third ownership stake in the label is considered personal property, legally permitting its seizure to fulfill the court’s judgment.
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According to Black Enterprise, the judge made a clear stance on the matter, stating, “The question at the core of the instant dispute is whether the RAF Bylaws’ prohibition on transfer and sale of Dash’s one-third ownership interest in shares of RAF without the consent of RAF’s board of directors legally prevents the sale of Dash’s interest in RAF to satisfy the Judgment.” He answered his question with a definitive “no,” emphasizing the judiciary’s authority to enforce federal court judgments as a fundamental aspect of its power, as outlined by the Constitution.
The controversy over Dash’s shares intensified when Weber expressed his discontent with Jay-Z and Burke’s 2021 adoption of a bylaw amendment that restricts the sale of shares without board consent—a meeting Dash was notably absent from.
Adding to Dash’s legal woes, he is embroiled in another court battle with his ex-wife, Rachel Roy. Dash seeks to reduce his monthly child support payments from $3,000 to $438, arguing that his financial situation has deteriorated significantly, leading to hardship and a diminished income.