A new Business Insider exclusive sheds light on how celebrities, including Lil Wayne and Chris Brown, allegedly misused pandemic relief funds meant to support struggling arts organizations and venues. The investigation reveals lavish spending on private jets, designer clothing, and extravagant parties, raising serious questions about the program’s oversight.
Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Carter Jr., reportedly received an $8.9 million grant from the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program. Instead of directing the funds toward touring staff or production needs, records show the rapper spent $1.3 million on private jets and $460,000 on high-end designer clothes from brands like Gucci and Balenciaga. Additionally, he used $88,000 of the grant for a concert he never performed and $15,000 on luxury travel for women with unclear connections to his business operations.
Chris Brown’s company received a $10 million grant, with $5.1 million going directly to the singer. Business Insider reports that Brown billed taxpayers $80,000 for an elaborate birthday party featuring a custom LED dance floor, nude body-painted models, and luxury hookah services. He also reportedly charged $24,000 for transporting his tour bus to Tulum, Mexico, for a non-performance-related trip.
The SVOG program was established in 2020 to help independent arts organizations and venues survive pandemic shutdowns. But loopholes allowed wealthy artists to qualify if their touring companies showed a 25% revenue decline during the pandemic, despite personal fortunes in the millions.
The investigation also highlights other high-profile beneficiaries like Marshmello, Steve Aoki, and Alice in Chains, many of whom directed large portions of their grants into personal accounts while paying far less to their crews and staff.
Critics, including Senator Gary Peters, have called this misuse of federal resources “an abuse” and emphasized the need for better oversight of pandemic relief programs.
Meanwhile, smaller arts organizations that relied on the grants for survival expressed frustration and disappointment. “I will never forget how hard-fought this funding was,” said Brandy Hotchner, founder of Arizona Actors Academy, which received a modest $120,000 from the program.
This story, originally reported by Business Insider, has sparked scrutiny of how relief funds were distributed and used during the pandemic.
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