Cassadee Pope of Hey Monday named in a Florida civil lawsuit

Hey Monday vocalist Cassadee Pope is among the defendants named in a civil lawsuit filed last week in Broward (Florida) Circuit Court, according to an article in the South Florida Sun Sentinel. The suit, which was filed by a couple named Dominick and Tammy Centi, accuses Pope and others—including her mother, Lori, and Hey Monday’s label, Columbia Records—of breach of contract.

According to the article, “Dominick Centi claims he discovered Pope in 2002 and signed her with the Centis' talent management company, Driven Entertainment Group.” The two parties allegedly worked together for over a half-decade, the lawsuit claims. Says the Sun Sentinel:

During more than six years of working with her, the lawsuit said, the couple made a demo tape with her, got her numerous bookings and a contract with Kodak Inc. which showcased one of her songs, as well as a performance at a major music conference.

But the relationship came under duress in late 2007, according to the lawsuit, after one of Sony's record labels became interested in signing Pope.

“The artist was put in an impossible situation … as she understood that if she remained loyal to her managers, Driven and the Centis, the people who had led her to the brink of stardom, she would be throwing away her dream of signing a major recording contract, going on tour and recording an album,” the lawsuit alleges.

The Centis are reportedly seeking $50 million in “punitive and other damages.”

When reached for comment, a representative for Hey Monday  released the following statement to AP:

In 2008, Cassadee Pope sued Driven Productions to declare the management contract between them invalid.  Driven Productions secured a long-term contract from Ms. Pope that violated Florida state law and the Centis compounded that misconduct by failing to obtain court approval of any lawful relationship with her.  That lawsuit is still pending before the Broward court with dispositive motions on file.  This new lawsuit is redundant and an attempt by the Centis to get headlines by suing innocent third parties.