Calvin Harris Sues Former Financial Advisor For Alleged Embezzlement Of Investment Funds

JAKARTA - Well-known music and disjoki producer from Scotland, Calvin Harris, has filed a lawsuit against his former financial adviser. He accused his adviser of embezzling US$22.5 million in investment funds, or around Rp369 billion, to fund a project called "boondoggle".

Harris' attorney, Adam Wiles, filed the arbitration lawsuit against Thomas St. John, who has served as Harris' financial adviser for 13 years.

According to the lawsuit document, St. John allegedly persuaded Harris to invest in a project called CMITY Culture Campus, a 460,000-square-foot property that will include record studios, office spaces, and lounges for artists.

In these demands, it was explained that this project began to be developed around 2020. However, in 2023, the project was short of funds, and St. John allegedly asked Harris to provide additional emergency capital.

Harris' attorney accused, St. John did not provide any information about the project. He only submitted documents to Harris for signature.

Based on the demands, Harris provided a loan of 10 million US dollars and an equity investment of 12.5 million US dollars for the project.

"Until today, the Plaintiff does not know where the Plaintiff's investment went or why the investment was used," reads the contents of Harris' attorney's demands, citing Variety, Wednesday, September 17.

"However, the Defendant did not intend that Mr. Wiles would actually receive full value back from his investment, either through distribution or other means," he continued.

Not long after the investment, Harris accused St. John instructed the company to disburse USD 11.7 million to an entity controlled by him.

Harris' attorneys accused the real estate investment of "best, a massive fraud, and worst of all, total fraud."

On the other hand, lawyer Thomas St. John, Sasha Frid, denied the allegations. In his statement, Frid said Harris was one of a number of investors in the project. He explained that the project at the Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue intersection will now be turned into a housing project with 750 units of apartments, creative spaces, and retailers.

Frid also stated that Harris was actively pursuing this development opportunity. "Feeling dissatisfied with the project rate, he chose to pursue personal arbitration to express his dissatisfaction. It's no secret that due to interest rates and other market factors, the real estate project takes longer to build. However, this development is very feasible and is expected to have a value of more than 900 million US dollars when completed. Mr. St. John denies all charges," he said.

Harris' lawsuit also states that a loan of 10 million US dollars should have been repaid no later than January 31, 2025. However, until now the principal and interest have not been paid.

St. John himself has not been Harris's adviser since April 2025. Harris claimed to have asked for information about his investment, but the response received was limited and unsatisfactory.

Shortly after filing the arbitration, Harris's attorney learned that the project's financial condition was getting worse. They petitioned the Los Angeles High Court to pass an agreement banning the company from disposing of funds during the legal process.