Timbaland Files $15 Million Lawsuit Accusing Former Managers of Fraud and Mismanagement

Music producer Timothy Mosley, widely known as Timbaland, has filed a $15 million lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against former manager Gary Marella and former business manager Bruce Seckendorf, alleging fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and civil theft, according to court documents reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

In the 65-page complaint, Mosley alleges that Marella took millions of dollars in unauthorized fees, commissions, and reimbursements while falsifying financial records to conceal the withdrawals. The suit also alleges that Marella improperly used Mosley's funds to cover payroll for employees at his company, Mono Music Group.

The complaint details severe allegations against Seckendorf and his accounting firm, LL Business Management, stating that their oversight resulted in unpaid mortgages and severe tax liabilities. According to the filing reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Seckendorf failed to remit regular mortgage payments, leaving Mosley's residence on the verge of foreclosure, while also failing to pay federal taxes on time, leading to millions in penalties and interest charges.

According to the lawsuit, Mosley only learned of the financial irregularities after receiving a foreclosure notice at his residence last year. Upon contacting Seckendorf, Mosley claims the business manager failed to clearly explain why mortgage payments had been halted. Mosley subsequently retained outside legal counsel and financial representatives, who discovered undisclosed liabilities, concealed credit card arrangements, and unapproved loan agreements, according to the complaint.

The filing argues that the default was not caused by a lack of funds, asserting that Seckendorf's firm prioritized almost $900,000 in disbursements to defendants and their attorneys across a five-month span, while neglecting a year of mortgage arrears.

Specific revenue streams under dispute include earnings from the Verzuz platform Mosley co-founded with Swizz Beatz, as well as the 2019 sale of his music catalog to Hipgnosis Songs Fund. The suit claims Marella collected $500,000 more than his agreed share on two separate payments from Verzuz, and took $775,000 beyond an agreed 10 percent commission on the Hipgnosis transaction. Mismanagement claims were also leveled regarding Beatclub, a beat marketplace co-founded by Mosley and Marella.

Marella strongly disputed the claims in statements to The Hollywood Reporter, asserting that Mosley was deflecting accountability for his own overspending. Marella stated that Mosley was already facing debt when their management relationship began in 2017, and stated that his team helped generate roughly $75 million in business across nine years. Marella maintained that Mosley was fully aware of the 15 percent commission on the Hipgnosis transaction, as well as the Verzuz management fees.

Both Marella and Seckendorf were terminated by Mosley in 2025. Seckendorf and his firm did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to The Hollywood Reporter.