By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Sept 4 – Damon Dash has been sued in a dispute about a film called "The List" or, "Dear Frank." But he has been avoiding being deposed, or questioned under oath, in person.
Inner City Press covered and live tweeted a proceeding on December 3 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger, thread
Jump cut four years and a judgment later: on December 31, 2024 counsel to Webber and Muddy Water Pictures wrote to Judge Lehrburger: "The selling of the assets is supported by this Court’s decision relating to Damon Dash’s previous ownership interest in Roc-A-Fella Records Inc. See filing on Patreon here
On April 18, 2025 plaintiff's counsel wrote to ask Judge Lehrburger to order the turn over of documents about chains and rings and companies to facilitate their sale, and for attorneys fees.
On May 12 counsel for Webber and Muddy Waters Pictures moved for contempt and that adverse inferences be issued by the Court.
On June 9 turn overs were ordered.
On August 22, "On August 28, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., in Courtroom 18D, Dash and Poppington shall show cause why sanctions for failing to comply with the Court's orders should not be imposed against them; 2. Dash must appear in person for the hearing along with counsel
The August 28 proceeding was canceled: "As for defense counsel, the Court is troubled by his stance toward at the hearing that was scheduled for August 28. The Court scheduled the hearing on August 22, 2028 and directed that Dash "must appear in person along with counsel." (Dkt. 482 at 1.) Given that defense counsel knew he would be away on a "pre-planned" family vacation at the time of the hearing, why did he not so advise the Court promptly after the Court entered its August 22 order rather than waiting until literally the eve of the hearing? While the Court is not inclined to impose sanctions inasmuch as the Court did cancel the conference, defense counsel is on notice that the Court will not overlook such concerns in the future... by September 4, 2025, Plaintiffs shall file a letter proposing next steps for resolving Bluroc asset issues."
On September 4, counsel wrote in that Dash has filed for bankruptcy in Florida, filing on Patreon here
The case is Webber v. Dash, 1:19-cv-610 (Liman / Lehrburger)
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