Calvin Harris has won $13.5 million (£10 million) in his legal battle with his former business manager, Thomas St John.
An arbitrator has ordered St John to repay the Scottish DJ a real estate loan, plus interest.
The electronic dance music (EDM) star had accused St John of abusing their financial relationship to fund a real estate “boondoggle” – an American term for an unnecessary, wasteful or fraudulent project.
Harris initiated arbitration proceedings this past summer, alleging that in 2023, St John fraudulently funnelled $22 million (£16 million) from his accounts towards a Hollywood recording studio and office space development called CMNTY Culture Campus.
The project never broke ground and has since undergone foreclosure.
St John denied Harris’ claims as “categorically false” and maintains that the artist was a willing investor.
But retired federal judge Michael R Wilner, who is refereeing the dispute in confidential arbitration, has ruled that St John undisputedly failed to repay the loan by its due date.
Meanwhile, St John’s future as a business manager looks uncertain. The US arm of his eponymous management firm, Thomas St John Group, declared bankruptcy last year and is currently attempting to liquidate its assets.
In addition to the Harris arbitration, fellow EDM star Eric Prydz sued St John in November for allegedly taking $269,000 (£200,000) in unauthorised commissions.
St John denies those claims as “wholly fabricated”.
Harris is famous for his chart-topping electronic and pop music, including hits such as We Found Love, Summer, and One Kiss with Dua Lipa.
