Studdard Awarded $2M In Suit

American Idol 2003 winner Ruben Studdard was awarded $2 million in his lawsuit against his ex-manager, whom Studdard claimed misappropriated his money and credit cards.

The suit, which was filed last year against Ronald Edwards and his now-bankrupt promotions company, Sez Inc., claimed the manager misused more than $246,000 of Studdard’s money.

The singer was awarded $1.5 million in punitive damages. The manager’s effect on Studdard’s credit made it difficult for him to obtain financing to buy a home, the judge’s ruling said.

Edwards even used $10,000 of Studdard’s money to pay back a bank loan, the ruling said.