Lil Wayne and Chris Brown are among a number of artists who have been accused of spending millions of dollars of taxpayer money on luxury purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to report from Business Insider, Wayne received $8.9 million from a COVID-19 relief fund that he used to spend on hotel stays, designer clothes and his travel for nightclub appearances.
AD LOADING...
The Young Money rapper, who has an estimated net worth of over $150 million, allegedly spent $1.3 million from the grant on private jet flights, as well as almost half a million dollars on designer clothes from brands such as Gucci and Balenciaga.
The government and taxpayer also picked up the $175,000 bill for expenses relating to a music festival appearance to promote his marijuana brand.
AD LOADING...
Weezy is further accused of spending $15,000 on hotel rooms for women, including a porn star and a Hooters waitress.
He also used the grant to pay a debt worth over $2 million to former manager Cortez Bryant, over $1 million in commissions to Young Money president Mack Maine and a further $1 million-plus in lawyer fees and accountancy bills, according to the report.
Business Insider reached out to Lil Wayne via text for comment, but he “made a sexually explicit overture to a reporter and did not respond to questions.”
Chris Brown is also accused of taking advantage of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant during the pandemic.
AD LOADING...
The R&B star allegedly secured a $10 million grant through his company, CBE Touring, with over half of that amount going directly to himself.
The taxpayer was also on the hook for the $80,000 spent to fund his 33rd birthday party, which included the hire of nude dancers and a $3,000 dancefloor.
AD LOADING...
Breezy also reportedly spent the best part of $1 million on lawyers and accountants, while his manager also received $823,000 from the grant.
Brown has also not responded to the claims.
Rae Sremmurd are also alleged to have receiving $7.7 million in grants through their company, Sremm Touring.
Reports of Lil Wayne misusing his COVID relief grant first came to light this past March.
AD LOADING...
To receive the grant, Tunechi had to certify that he operated a “drug-free workplace,” which contradicts his known marijuana use.
It is not known if the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant will seek to retrieve any of the money that may have been improperly spent.
AD LOADING...
Other artists who received large grants include rock band Alice in Chains, EDM DJs Marshemello and Steve Aoki, and hard rockers Shinedown.
