AIDS charity seeks Boy George refund
An HIV/AIDS organisation in Florida is filing a lawsuit against performer Boy George and his booking agency for deposit monies that were never returned after his cocaine arrest.
Care Resource signed a contract on June 6, 2005 with booking agency Red Parrot for Boy George to be the celebrity guest DJ at Vizcaya Mansion, Museum and Gardens on Saturday November 26 2005 as part of White Party Week Miami, one of the world’s largest yearly HIV/AIDS fundraisers.
According to a statement issued by the organisation, the cost was $12,000 for Boy Georges DJ services, and $2,400 to Red Parrot as the booking agent. On August 4th a bank wire transfer went through to HSBC bank in London for $8,400, which included half of George’s fees and a deposit to Red Parrot.
But George was arrested October 7 of that year, nearly two months before his scheduled performance at the White Party, on drug charges after he called 911 to report what he said was a pre-dawn burglary in his Manhattan apartment.
In correspondence with Red Parrot just one week after his arrest, George’s booking agent, Johnston Pearce Walker assured Care Resource “George will still be keeping to his scheduled contracted DJ dates.”
Care Resource’s statement says that on November 2, just three weeks before he was scheduled to perform, an email was again received from Johnston Pearce Walker, this time stating: “It is with regret that Boy George is not going to be able to DJ at the White Party. We have been instructed by his management that we have to cancel his engagement on this date. This now means that we have had to cancel 11 USA dates. If you would assist us by giving us 14 days we would very much appreciate it. We want to ensure that everyone gets their money back and try to put this mess behind us”
Since that date many emails, letters and phone calls have been placed to the agency, all have gone unanswered, says Care Resource’s statement.
“The $8,400 that Boy George and Red Parrot took from Care Resource would have paid the cost of primary medical care for 9 of our patients for a full year” stated Rick Siclari, Care Resource executive director.
“We cannot believe that a year has gone by, White Party is once again here, scheduled for this November 22 – 28 and we have not gotten a response, our returned deposit, or even an apology from Boy George nor his agency” stated Terry DeCarlo, public rlations manager for Care Resource.
Boy George and Red Parrot were not available for comment.
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