The local film producer accused of fleecing almost $100,000 from a United States-based company for production services for Trinidad-born hip-hop recording artist Nicki Minaj's latest music video is denying any wrongdoing. Instead, the producer, who operates a five-year-old company based in Port-of-Spain, is claiming that the foreign company, London Alley Productions, owes him almost US$19,000 for consultancy fees, equipment rentals and services.
In an interview yesterday, the producer, who lives in Westmoorings, and asked not to be named, said contrary to recent reports, he did not receive any payments from the company which has its headquarters in Los Angeles, California. "This allegation has completely destroyed my reputation," the producer said.
"I can't film another production in T&T again. People in the industry and ordinary citizens have been calling me, e-mailing me and writing on Facebook that I thief the money from Nicki Minaj. I did no such thing," he said. He said he had bank statements and scores of e-mail correspondence from London Alley which would vindicate him.
"I am becoming one of the most hated men in Trinidad, when I never received a cent from that company. Not one cent," he said. On Tuesday, an article in a daily newspaper (not the T&T Guardian) claimed the company had paid the producer the fees, but he failed to deliver the services that were promised. The article also stated that after the video shoot, which concluded last week, a report of the incident was made to the Fraud Squad.
In response to the allegations circulating in the local media, the producer visited the Port-of-Spain offices of the Fraud Squad yesterday with his attorneys Criston J Williams and Lemuel Murphy where he provided a written response to the allegations to investigators.
In the interview yesterday, the producer said he was first contacted by the company last month, to make arrangements for the video shoot. Minaj arrived in Trinidad last week Tuesday to film the video which was shot at several locations across the country and includes re-enactments of the Carnival Parade of the Bands which was filmed at the Queen's Park Savannah and along Jerningham Avenue in Belmont.
The video was directed by Benny Boom, who has worked in the past with recording artist such as Sean Paul, Jay-Z and 50 Cent. The producer said he entered into a contract with the foreign company to provide the services but was not paid, despite several assurances from the company's directors. He said he was considering taking his own legal action against the company in an attempt to recoup the funds.