Calvin Harris Says Ex-Financial Adviser Stole Millions

Calvin Harris is taking his former financial adviser to court over an alleged real estate development scheme gone awry.

The Scottish DJ and producer filed an arbitration demand in Los Angeles Superior Court claiming adviser Thomas St. John “systematically” usurped their business relationship meant to invest millions in a Hollywood real estate development known as CMNTY Culture Campus, the New York Post reported.

CMNTY Culture Campus was floated as a 460,000-square-foot complex with recording studios, artists’ lounges and office space. The project began seeking investment from entertainers and financiers in 2021.

St. John allegedly looked to Harris for help when the project needed funds in 2023, according to the Post. Harris, operating through an entity called Lewis LLC, provided a $10 million loan and a $12.5 million equity stake in Hollywood LLC, the business structure behind the project.

Those documents were “materially misleading” and Harris — government name Adam Wiles — received “no context or information whatsoever” about where his money was actually going, according to the Post. Soon after Harris forked over the cash, Harris alleges $11.7 million was transferred to Dun & Dun LLC, a managing entity controlled by St. John.

“Mr. Wiles has not received a single penny in return for that investment, and, indeed, respondents have not even started developing or building the project,” the filing says, according to the Post. Lawyers for Harris went on to describe the deal as “at best, a complete boondoggle, and, at worst, a complete fraud” and noted that Harris received “scant (and sometimes contradictory) information” when asking for updates about the project.

Harris’ legal team alleges that the $10 million loan was due to be repaid with interest by Jan. 31 of this year but remains outstanding nearly nine months later, according to the Post. In the meantime, an agreement Harris secured via arbitration prevents project funds from being dissipated while the court proceedings are ongoing.

Last year, the project at 6767 West Sunset Boulevard shifted its focus to residential housing, with the planned development comprising two towers with 750 units, including 90 set aside for low-income residents. The property would also feature retail and creative spaces.

In response to the legal action, a lawyer for St. John said Harris “actively pursued this development opportunity,” attorney Sasha Frid told Variety.

“Unhappy with the pace of the project, he chose to pursue private arbitration to assert his discontent,” Frid said. “It’s no secret that due to interest rates and other market factors real estate projects are taking longer to build. But the development is very much viable and expected to have a [more than] $900 million valuation when completed. Mr. St. John denies any wrongdoing.”

— Chris Malone Méndez