Usher Sues Bryan-Michael Cox Over $1.7 Million Restaurant Loan
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R&B icon Usher Raymond is pursuing legal action against longtime collaborator Bryan-Michael Cox and others, alleging the misuse of funds intended for a Buckhead, Georgia restaurant venture.
Usher filed a complaint in Fulton County Superior Court claiming $1.7 million he loaned for a restaurant project was improperly used. The dispute centers around a planned lounge and restaurant called “Homage ATL,” envisioned for a $6.3 million property on Piedmont Road.
Loan for “Homage ATL” Turns Sour
In January, Usher wired the full $1.7 million into a trust account managed by attorney Alcide Honoré, according to the lawsuit. The funds were intended to facilitate the acquisition of the property by Cox, along with business partners Keith Thomas and Charles Hughes. While Cox’s team reportedly repaid $1 million later that summer, Usher claims the remaining $700,000 was never returned.
According to Usher’s legal team, Honoré indicated the funds had been diverted, stating that returning the balance “was not that easy” because the money had been “deployed for ‘other purposes.’”
Demanding $4.9 Million in Damages
The lawsuit outlines seven counts, with four directed at Honoré and three against Cox, Thomas, and Hughes. Each count seeks at least $700,000 in damages, alongside interest, attorney fees, and punitive relief. Usher is ultimately demanding a total of $4.9 million.
Cox responded to the allegations on Monday, characterizing himself as a “passive minority shareholder” in the business venture. He asserted, “I was not a participant in the business transaction and have no involvement in the ongoing legal process.” Cox also emphasized the enduring nature of his relationship with Usher, stating, “my 27-year friendship with Usher remains fully intact.”
Limited Responses from Other Parties
Honoré, speaking to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, stated he had not yet reviewed the complaint and deemed it “premature for him to comment on specific claims.” Attempts to obtain comment from Thomas and Hughes were unsuccessful.
A Partnership Tested
Usher and Cox have enjoyed a decades-long and highly successful musical partnership, co-writing chart-topping hits such as “Burn” and “U Got It Bad.” This established rapport makes the current legal dispute particularly noteworthy.
Usher’s legal strategy frames the transaction as a loan, not an investment. Court documents reveal he declined to become a formal investor in the project, opting instead to provide financial backing through the trust account.
The case is currently underway in Fulton County Superior Court, with Usher’s legal team having already covered attorney fees. The singer is seeking both financial restitution and damages. As of now, no formal response has been filed by the defendants.
The outcome of this case could have broader implications, potentially reshaping the structure of business ventures between celebrities and their collaborators. Usher alleges he lent $1.7 million for a high-profile restaurant launch in Buckhead—and only received a portion back, now seeking to recover the remainder, plus damages, in a business showdown that unexpectedly pits long-time musical collaborators against one another.
