Tony Toni Tone Member Sues Attorney For Letting Destiny's Child Off Easy

NEW YORK (Yahoo) - Attorneys for Tony Toni Tone member Dwayne Wiggins filed a suit against Wiggins's former counsel, Bloom, Hergott, Diemer & Cook LLP, on February 27 in Superior Court of the state of California in and for the county of Los Angeles. The suit accuses the firm of legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of written agreement, fraud (intentional misrepresentation), and fraud (concealment).

Wiggins, who maintains that his company Grass Roots discovered Destiny's Child, alleges his former counsel lessened his stake in the group when the attorneys drafted an agreement between Grass Roots and Sony Music for the signing of the top-selling female group.

According to the complaint for damages, Bloom, Hergott drafted a number of agreements for Grass Roots's work with Destiny's Child and Sony Music.

An October 5, 1995 agreement solidified the relationship between Grass Roots and Destiny's Child, which at the time included original members Beyonce Knowles, Kelendria Rowland, LaToya Luckett, and Latavia Roberson.

In a January 3, 1996 agreement, Grass Roots offered Destiny's Child's exclusive recording services to Sony Music for an initial seven years, in exchange for "certain royalties."

However, Wiggins claims that a January 21, 1997 agreement with Sony Music--which Bloom, Hergott allegedly prepared without his knowledge, consent, or approval--changed the terms of the 1996 agreement, limiting Grass Roots royalties to only three Destiny's Child albums.

Grass Roots claims that it has experienced a loss at no less than $15,000,000; and is seeking compensatory damages according to proof, the cost of the law suit, punitive damages, and any other relief deemed by the court.

Wiggins also claims he became aware of Bloom, Hergott's wrongdoing after seeking other counsel in October 2001. A status conference is set for August 21, 2002.