Second Promoter Files Dileo Suit

No sooner was AllGood Entertainment’s $300 million suit against one-time Michael Jackson manager Frank Dileo dismissed, Caribbean concert promoter Citadel Limited filed one of its own.

The Trinidad and Tobago-based promoter claims it paid a $300,000 deposit for an MJ appearance that was not to be, and which was not refunded upon the singer’s death. The suit was filed Aug. 24 in Los Angeles, less than a week after a judge dismissed AllGood’s suit claiming Dileo and others made a deal with the promoter for a Jackson Family reunion concert and pay-per-view event.

Citadel alleges in he complaint it made the $300,000 deposit over several payments to Dileo Entertainment and MPC Promotions, with a final wire transfer of $20,000 accepted one week before Jackson’s June 25, 2009, death.

Despite the fact that Jackson had a well-known 50-concert residency booked in London during the same period, Citadel claims Dileo provided a written binder agreement dated April 1, 2009 promising to deliver MJ during the fourth quarter of that year for a “musical event” in Trinidad and Tobago.

The suit alleges that Dileo and other defendants agreed to a provision of the binder that required them to refund the $300,000 to Citadel “in the event of a cancellation for reasons beyond the control of the Artist, Company or Purchaser.”

Citadel claims that Dileo and the other defendants have refused to refund the deposit, and the suit seeks that amount plus attorneys’ and court costs on grounds of breach of contract, unjust enrichment, conversion and two other counts.