Gogol Bordello Guitarist Sues Frontman for $950,000

Gypsy punks need money too.

Gogol Bordello's guitarist is suing Eugene Hütz after being dodged on payment.

According to the lawsuit, Hütz encouraged long-time guitarist Oren Kaplan to take an extended leave of absence while coping with the loss of his mother. During this time Hütz had signed a deal to record a song for Coca-Cola, locking Kaplan out of his share.

Kaplan is seeking his cut of the deal along with claiming that Hütz has solely taken over the band's finances.

Kaplan states in the lawsuit:

"Hutz brazenly absconded with approximately half a million dollars from the bank accounts of the Gogol Bordello entities and deposited those funds into the accounts of new companies which are wholly owned by Hutz. (These transfers have been disingenuously characterized by Hutz's representatives as 'loans.') Moreover, Hutz has paid himself a 'salary' to which Hutz is entitled under the group's contractual arrangements. Further, Hutz has transferred all of the business operations of the Gogol Bordello Entities into his new, wholly owned companies without providing the Gogol Bordello entities with any compensation for having done so.

Gogol Bordello just released Pura Vida Conspiracy last week which is the band's first album without Kaplan.

Gogol Bordello playing "Lost Innocent World" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

via Stereogum