Travis Tritt has sued his record label and its president, alleging breach of contract and fraud.
Tritt, who released his latest album, “The Storm,” this year on the new independent label Category 5 Records, seeks $10 million in damages. Filed in federal district court, the suit names Category 5 and its president and CEO, Ray Termini of Connecticut.
Tritt contends that Termini misrepresented Category 5’s skill and competence as a record company, its financial resources and its ability to honor its financial obligations. He claims he was denied the complete creative control as promised, as well as money for promotional travel and royalty payments.
Last month, the New England nursing home company for which Termini serves as CEO declared bankruptcy amid a state inquiry into whether he illegally used Medicaid funds to launch the label. State officials allege the company let bills go unpaid while using company funds to launch Category 5.
Termini has denied misusing Haven Healthcare money to start the label. He did not immediately return messages left at Haven Healthcare’s headquarters in Middletown, Conn., and his home in nearby Middlefield.
As of Dec. 1, Category 5 owed Tritt more than $399,300, according to the lawsuit. Category 5 signed Tritt to a four-year deal in 2006; its other artists include Sammy Kershaw and Shauna, according to the company Web site.
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