Biz Markie’s widow sues late rapper’s former manager

Tara Corridor, the wife of late rapper Biz Markie, would like $100,000 in damages and comprehensive command in excess of her husband’s corporation, Biz Markie Inc.

WASHINGTON — The widow of the late rapper Biz Markie sued his former manager in federal court docket this 7 days, alleging she has infringed on his trademark and directed royalties and other cash to be paid out to her alternatively of his estate.

The lawsuit, submitted Wednesday, seeks far more than $100,000 in damages and command of Biz Markie Inc. from Markie’s previous supervisor, Jennifer Izumi.

Markie, who was born Marcel Theo Corridor and gained global fame about a many years-very long tunes occupation – like the 1989 strike “Just a Friend” – died final July adhering to far more than a yr in the hospital owing to difficulties from Type 2 diabetic issues. The fit, brought by Markie’s widow, Tara Corridor, alleges Izumi took edge of the rapper’s hospitalization and declining wellbeing to choose management of his corporation and to redirect funds to a further enterprise, Balancing Acts Inc., that was fully less than her regulate.

Amid other claims, the go well with alleges Izumi, who experienced confined energy of lawyer on Markie’s behalf, compensated Balancing Acts $65,000 from Markie’s royalties and then switched the payee of long term royalties from Biz Markie Inc. to her enterprise. Hall also alleges Izumi attained a Paycheck Defense Plan loan on behalf of Biz Markie Inc., modified the passwords on Markie’s individual and organization accounts to lock him out and filed a trademark software for “Biz Markie” devoid of his consent.

Corridor also alleges that, three months following her marriage to Markie, Izumi produced herself the main beneficiary of two everyday living insurance policies policies in Markie’s title.

Federal PPP bank loan knowledge shows Biz Markie Inc. been given $24,560 through the software in June 2020. The complete loan sum is listed as forgiven.

Izumi did not straight away respond to a request for remark and a voice mail box for a range in her identify was entire and not able to receive messages. A ask for for comment from the lawyer symbolizing Markie’s widow and estate was also not quickly returned.

The lawsuit alleges 9 counts from Izumi, which include breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and trademark infringement. Hall requests a courtroom purchase declaring her the proprietor of Biz Markie Inc., blocking Izumi from utilizing the “Biz Markie” trademark going ahead and forfeiture of any royalties or other revenue wrongfully diverted from the enterprise.  While the lawsuit is pending, Hall also requests a short term custodian be appointed to oversee Biz Markie Inc. on Izumi’s behalf.

Biz Markie, who was born in Harlem in New York Town in 1964, moved to Maryland toward the stop of his life. His firm, Biz Markie Inc., was registered in the District of Columbia.