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Winans Sues Gospel Fest
Gospel singer Vickie Winans filed suit against Atlanta Gospel Fest and its chief executive and financial officer, alleging she was prevented from performing at the Aug. 2 event and not paid despite having a contract for a reduced fee of $7,500.
The suit, filed Aug. 15 in Fulton County Superior Court, claims Winans – a member of the famous gospel family – was induced to sign a contract at the reduced fee, plus first class airfare and hotel accommodations to be reimbursed before the show, thinking she was to perform a benefit concert for underprivileged children. But when she arrived in Atlanta, according to court documents, Gospel Fest CEO Riki Brooks and CFO Lee Collins refused to meet her at the hotel to settle and failed to give her directions for the concert, allegedly telling Winans that she was no longer part of the program.
Winans apparently took matters into her own hands and walked from the hotel to the venue and attempted to perform – only to find the group was giving out awards and there appeared to be no concert. She alleges she calmly stepped on stage and addressed the audience – and attempted to distribute bags filled with gift bracelets – when Brooks joined her on stage and demanded she leave, saying “we have called police.”
YouTube video purported to be that of the confrontation shows what appears to be the singer and another woman with a microphone, who clearly says, “You really need to leave” as audience members call for Winans to perform and begin chanting. Winans alleges breach of contract, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, unjust enrichment and defamation.
She seeks $75,000 in punitive dames, plus attorneys fees and costs.