Grammy-winning singer and actress Andra Day has accused her former manager, Jeff Evans, of stealing funds in a new lawsuit filed this week, according to Billboard.
Evans filed his own complaint first on Monday, Oct. 6, alleging that Day—whose legal name is Cassandra Monique Batie—failed to pay him royalties and commissions due under their management contract.
Evans claims he is owed 40% of Day’s publishing royalties and 20% of other earnings, asserting that payments stopped in 2024. His suit estimates that Day’s publishing advances total $1.5 million.
“Plaintiffs are informed and believe and, based upon such information and belief, allege that plaintiffs are owed a minimum of $850,000 as of the date of the complaint,” Evans’ attorneys, Edwin McPherson and Brian Caplan, wrote in court documents.
Day’s countersuit, filed the following day, calls the original 40% royalty deal “exploitative” and says both that contract and a 20% commission agreement expired in 2023. She accuses Evans of misappropriating more than $1.6 million, including $1 million in royalties and a $600,000 recording fund from Warner Records.
“Andra Day’s former manager was caught red-handed stealing,” attorney James Sammataro said in a statement reported by Billboard. “He siphoned so much money from Day that he left her facing eviction, unable to pay the minimum on her credit card, and without enough funds to tour.”
Evans has denied wrongdoing, saying he is entitled to the disputed royalties and commissions under their agreement.
Day, who won a Golden Globe for portraying Billie Holiday in The United States vs. Billie Holiday, has not commented publicly beyond the court filings. Both lawsuits are ongoing.
