Levon Helm Studios has filed a federal lawsuit against Amy Helm and seven other defendants, according to Stereogum. The complaint accuses Helm of using company money for her own personal and career expenses over a number of years.
The lawsuit claims her actions cost the company at least $2 million in damages. It also alleges about $400,000 was charged without any clear business purpose, and says the funds were used for items including home and tax payments, health and life insurance, her driver and personal lawyer, and the lease on her tour van.
The filing says Helm concealed transactions from the other shareholders and used show cancellations to interfere with the company’s investigation into her conduct. It also accuses her of copyright infringement and seeks to stop her from using the name “Helm Family Midnight Ramble.”
The conflict has been unfolding for months. Earlier this year, other shareholders removed Amy Helm from management and named Brian Parillo as CEO, after which she accused him of financial exploitation and elder abuse of Sandra Helm. Amy Helm has said her removal from the studio was a “shakedown” and “extortion.”
