En Vogue's attempt at a comeback has hit further roadblocks as the owner of the label that first resigned the group has filed a lawsuit against the R&B act, alleging that it partook in fraud when signing to a different label. René Moore is seeking $310 million in damages (from Billboard).
En Vogue had gone more than six years without releasing an album when it was signed by Moore and Rufftown Entertainment. The deal required the vocal group to record at least two albums under Rufftown as well as participating in tours in between. According to Moore, he forwarded the group $190,000—$40,000 for travel and another $150,000 for recording expenses—which of course resulted in no new music. The group fired member Maxine Jones during 2012 and then signed with Pyramid Records during 2014.
Moore alleges that the group, aside from merely violating the contract he had with it, used false documents to get the contract with Pyramid (which might open them up to another lawsuit from the other label if this claim proves to be true).
The plaintiff lists En Vogue Enterprises, lawyer Allen Jacobi as well as members Cindy Herron, Terry Ellis (and Jones' replacement Rhonda Bennett) as defendants. Jones was withheld from litigation, as Moore acknowledged that she had "substantially performed her obligation under the agreement" before being removed from those obligations by the group.
Jones hasn't exactly been very successful since leaving En Vogue either. She attempted to perform under the group's name with former member Dawn Robinson before a judge ruled in favor of Ellis and Heron for possession of the name "En Vogue." She then attempted to launch a solo career, which also fizzled, before she filed for bankruptcy last year.
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