Music label Heard Well has filed a $1 million lawsuit against co-founder Connor Franta, alleging breach of contract and fiduciary duty.
Heard Well, co-founded by Connor Franta, is embroiled in a legal battle after fellow co-founder Jeremy Wineberg filed a lawsuit accusing the YouTube star of breaching his contractual and fiduciary duties to the company.
The suit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges Franta failed to uphold his responsibilities as a member of the company, resulting in financial harm and operational disruption.
According to court documents obtained by Dexerto, Heard Well was established with Wineberg, Franta, and Andrew Graham as equal members. The label’s mission was to promote up-and-coming artists, leveraging Franta’s social media following to market curated playlists and the company’s music catalog.
However, Wineberg claims Franta largely disengaged from the company’s operations, failing to fulfill his obligations.
Allegations against Connor Franta
The lawsuit accuses Franta of several serious violations:
- Breach of Contract: Wineberg alleges that Franta neglected his duties under the company’s operating agreement, including a promise to promote Heard Well on his social media platforms. This lack of engagement allegedly cost the company over $1 million in potential revenue.
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty: As a member of the member-managed LLC, Franta owed a duty of care, loyalty, and good faith to Heard Well. Wineberg asserts that Franta’s disengagement and disruptive behavior hindered the company’s ability to operate effectively.
- Member Expulsion: Wineberg is seeking Franta’s removal as a member of Heard Well, citing his alleged misconduct and its detrimental impact on the company’s financial and reputational standing.
The lawsuit also claims that Franta’s public association with Heard Well significantly boosted his personal brand while he contributed little to the company’s growth.
Despite promises to promote the label’s music catalog, the YouTuber allegedly failed to deliver, leaving Wineberg and Graham to shoulder the company’s day-to-day operations.
Heard Well, founded in 2015, has reportedly struggled financially, posting gross revenues of $2.75 million against expenses of $2.8 million, resulting in an overall loss of $46,713. Wineberg claims that Franta’s lack of involvement compounded these struggles.
Tensions between the co-founders escalated in April 2024 when Franta allegedly began raising allegations of misconduct against Wineberg and unilaterally “fired” him from the company, despite lacking the authority to do so.
The lawsuit also claims the influencer later refused settlement offers that would have given him full ownership of the company.
Wineberg is now seeking at least $1 million in damages, the removal of Franta as a member of Heard Well, and punitive damages for what he describes as Franta’s “oppressive and malicious” conduct.
Content shared from www.dexerto.com.