Company sues 2 men for fraud over failed UB40 band’s concerts

An entertainment company yesterday filed a lawsuit in federal court against two men who allegedly defrauded the firm of $115,000 by misrepresenting to have the famous English reggae and pop band UB40 perform in Guam and Saipan in 2015.

Steven Brownstein, who is doing business as Steven Brownstein Entertainment, is suing Jason H. Aldan and Fredrick Holloman for fraud, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment.

Aldan is a former CNMI resident who is now staying in Honolulu. He is involved in the entertainment business operating as RawCandyHawaii, according to the lawsuit.

Holloman, a resident of the State of California, is allegedly engaged in business through an entity known as Shae Entertainment/Management located in La Jolla, California.

Ten unnamed co-defendants were also included in the lawsuit.

Brownstein asked the U.S. District Court for the NMI to hold the defendants liable to pay him damages, interest, and court costs.

According to the lawsuit, on June 2, 2015, Brownstein entered into a contract with Holloman to provide various services relating to the performance of UB40 in Saipan and in Guam.

In this contract, Holloman agreed that UB40 would perform on Aug. 7, 2015 at the Grey Hound Park of Guam, and on Aug. 8, 2015 at the Fiesta Resort & Spa on Saipan.

On July 20, 2015, Holloman entered into a new contract with Brownstein, which changed the UB40 performance dates to Dec. 11-12, 2015.

It was Aldan who introduced Brownstein to Hollman.

Based upon the defendants’ representations, Brownstein expended substantial funds to promote the performance of UB40 in both Saipan and Guam.

To guarantee UB40’s performance in Saipan and Guam, Brownstein wired $78,000 on June 5, 2015 at the Bank of Hawaii on Saipan to Holloman’s account at the Comerica Bank in San Diego, California.

Holloman falsely represented to Brownstein that he would deposit $65,000 as “artist deposit” to secure UB40’s appearance.

On July 22, 2015, Brownstein caused $37,000 to be transferred from his Bank of Hawaii account on Saipan to Aldan’s Bank of Hawaii account in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Aldan allegedly represented that these funds would be used to secure the appearance of the band in Saipan and in Guam.

On July 24, 2015, Aldan wired the $37,000 to Holloman’s account at the Comerica Bank in San Diego, California.

On Jan. 26, 2016, Brownstein received an email from David Shephard to “Paramount Entertainment” stating that Brownstein was in “breach of contract.”

The email further stated that the requisite funds were not submitted to UB40 and instructed Paramount to “cease and desist from any further activity involving UB40…”

On May 6, 2016, Brownstein sent a letter to Holloman demanding immediate reimbursement of $115,000.

Brownstein also communicated with Aldan regarding this matter, but the latter has refused to provide an accounting of the funds.

Brownstein alleged that Aldan conspired with Holloman and the other defendants to defraud him.

Brownstein said because of the defendants’ acts he has incurred damages such as funds paid to the defendants, marketing efforts in Guam and in Saipan, ticket sales, injury to reputation, and other damages.