Gogol Bordello riven by bandmate’s lawsuit

A lawsuit filed by longtime Gogol Bordello guitarist and songwriter Oren Kaplan alleges that band frontman Eugene Hutz (above) improperly diverted funds to himself.

Photo by Antonino D’Ambrosio

A lawsuit filed by longtime Gogol Bordello guitarist and songwriter Oren Kaplan alleges that band frontman Eugene Hutz (above) improperly diverted funds to himself.

Internationally acclaimed New York City gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello has a few sour notes among its members.

Longtime band guitarist and songwriter Oren Kaplan filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court Friday against mustachioed frontman Eugene Hutz, claiming the raspy-voiced singer is trying to cut him out of the group and its profits.

Kaplan, a well-known Israeli musician who joined the group in 2000, said in court documents he’s also suing on behalf of Gypsy Punks LLC, the corporation that held the band’s money.

He’s asking for personal damages of at least $ 950,000, and another $ 950,000 to be paid to Gypsy Punks LLC, the lawsuit said.

According to Kaplan’s lawsuit, Hutz took over the band’s finances in 2009. The flamboyant singer began paying himself a six-figure salary from various Gogol Bordello accounts not long after — without alerting Kaplan, the lawsuit said. One year Hutz paid himself more than $ 130,000 — far more than any band member made, Kaplan’s suit alleged. Kaplan had only been paid $ 57,000 the year before, he said.

Gogol Bordello on stage in Chicago last year (from left): Oren Kaplan, Pedro Erazo, Eugene Hutz, Oliver Charles and Yuri Lemeshev.

Daniel Boczarski/Redferns via Getty Images

Gogol Bordello on stage in Chicago last year (from left): Oren Kaplan, Pedro Erazo, Eugene Hutz, Oliver Charles and Yuri Lemeshev.

In 2011 and 2012, Hutz set up new corporations and began transferring funds into them from the main Gypsy Punks LLC account, Kaplan’s suit said.

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These transfers — totaling about $ 500,000 — were also done without Kaplan’s knowledge, he said.

Hutz referred to the infusion of cash as “loans,” Kaplan’s lawsuit said.

But no record was found of any interest paid on the monies, the lawsuit claims.

According to the suit, Eugene Hutz paid himself more than $  130,000 — far more than any band member made.

BILL AUTH/REUTERS

According to the suit, Eugene Hutz paid himself more than $ 130,000 — far more than any band member made.

Hutz, a founding member of the eclectic Gogol Bordello — which was born on the Lower East Side in 1999 — also tricked other band members into signing “consent forms” to kick Kaplan out of the group, his suit claims.

Gogol Bordello gives each active member a share of profits and a full financial reckoning every month — but once severed from the band, royalties and access to the money stopped, Kaplan said in his suit.

Hutz has argued that Kaplan no longer has any standing to demand a financial accounting and maintains he’s been officially booted from the band, Kaplan’s suit said.

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Thirteen years ago, when Kaplan joined the appealingly raucous band — which melds Ukrainian, Roma, Spanish and other languages with a wide array of musical styles and melodies — it was best known for blowing out sound equipment at its frenzied, explosive gigs.

The band, formed 13 years ago on the lower East Side, melds Ukrainian, Roma, Spanish and other languages with a wide array of musical styles and melodies — it was best known for blowing out sound equipment at its frenzied, explosive performances.

Mick Hutson/Redferns

The band, formed 13 years ago on the lower East Side, melds Ukrainian, Roma, Spanish and other languages with a wide array of musical styles and melodies — it was best known for blowing out sound equipment at its frenzied, explosive performances.

The band had never performed outside of Manhattan, Kaplan’s lawsuit said.

Kaplan claims he improved the band’s technical abilities and contributed in numerous ways to their subsequent commercial success — musically as well as managerially.

In 2011, his lawsuit says, Hutz encouraged him to take time off to attend to his sick mother in Israel.

In reality, Kaplan’s suit alleges, Hutz was arranging for Gogol Bordello to record a jingle for Coca-Cola — and wanted Kaplan kept out of the lucrative deal, his lawsuit claims.

Neither Hutz or Kaplan or their attorneys were immediately available for comment.

gotis@nydailynews.com


Music & Arts – NY Daily News

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