Lady Gaga Sued Over Fundraising Wristbands
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A lawsuit filed in Detroit claims pop superstar Lady Gaga is misleading her fans with an online pitch for donations for victims of the Japan earthquake.
According to the diva's website, all proceeds from the sale of $5 "We Pray for Japan" wristbands go directly to relief efforts. But the lawsuit notes that sales tax and a $3.99 shipping charge are added.
Speaking to WWJ Newsradio 950, Detroit-area attorney Alyson Oliver said she believes not all of the money is going to help the Japanese.
"If these are charitable donations, there's no tax that's supposed to be assessed. So, if the tax is assessed and is not owed to a state government, we believe that it is being retained by the defendants," she said.
Oliver said $3.99 is also a little steep for shipping for such a light item.
"What we want is we want an accounting. We know now, you know, despite assertions that they made in the marketing campaign to get folks to open up their wallets and give ... they said that all proceeds were gonna go. And now we know, based on their admissions, that not all proceeds went," said Oliver.
"It's one thing to put your name on a product. It's another thing to go out and make affirmative statements, you know, all over the press that every dollar is going to this effort," she said.
"It's not just one statement that was made. These are statements ... that Lady Gaga made repetitively. So, I think that she took on the responsibility in making those statements to make sure they were true," she said.
The lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court in Detroit. It seeks class-action status and possible refunds for people who bought wristbands.
"The purpose is not extended litigation. It's not, you know, to drag Lady Gaga through the coals. The purpose is to get this straightened out and get the money where it's supposed to go," Oliver said.
An email seeking comment was left Monday with a spokesman for Lady Gaga.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
