Lil Wayne Reportedly Misused Pandemic Relief Loans

Lil Wayne is under scrutiny for allegedly misusing pandemic relief funds, according to a Business Insider report. The rapper received an $8.9 million payout from the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), a program intended to support independent event spaces and arts organizations during COVID-19. However, the report claims much of the funds were spent on personal luxuries, including $1.3 million on private flights, $460,000 on shopping, and $175,000 for music festival expenses promoting his cannabis brand, GKUA.

The report also revealed payments of over $2 million each to Wayne’s former managers, Cortez Bryant and Mack Maine, as well as nearly $600,000 to his legal and accounting teams. Additional funds were reportedly used to cover travel and lodging expenses for at least two women.

Other artists, including Chris Brown and Rae Sremmurd, were also named in the report for similar misuse of relief grants. Brown allegedly received $10 million, with $5.1 million going to personal expenses, including an $80,000 birthday party.

The allegations highlight concerns about affluent entertainers exploiting pandemic relief programs meant for struggling arts organizations.

Source: BET