Cher scores partial legal victory against Sonny Bono's widow Mary over royalty to iconic duo's songs
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A court has reportedly issued an order in favor of Cher, who is amid a $1 million legal fight with her former husband Sonny Bono's widow, Mary Bono.
As per reports, the 77-year-old sued Mary alleging that she did not give her her share of royalties to Sonny & Cher songs. The singer also accused the former United States Representative of keeping back her assets from her marriage to Sonny.
Cher and Sonny had been married from 1964 to 1975 and worked on several songs together.
‘Defendant is ordered to produce the communications’
As part of this case, the ‘Goddess of Pop’ earlier demanded Mary to produce all electronic communications she had with a music publishing company.
The 62-year-old allegedly took the help of Wixen Music Publishing, Inc to transfer Cher’s share to Sonny’s children. And, now US Magistrate Rozella A Oliver has asked Mary to comply with Cher’s demands by January 9.
The magistrate ordered, as per RadarOnline.com, “Defendant is ordered to produce the communications at issue without redactions.”
Oliver also mentioned in her verdict, “[Mary] also argues that Wixen, as a music publisher, did not owe [Cher] any fiduciary duties.
“However, [Mary] agrees that Wixen was [Cher’s] agent and [Mary's] agent, and an agent owes a principal fiduciary duties.”
“If Wixen did not owe [Cher] fiduciary duties, then Wixen was not [Cher’s] agent. But if the 2011 Agreements were not sufficient to establish an agency relationship with Wixen, it is unclear how the 2019/2020 Agreement established an agency relationship between [Mary] and Wixen,” the order read.
The magistrate added, “Thus, Defendant’s argument would lead to a conclusion that Wixen was never an agent to either [May] or [Cher]. The inclusion of a non-agent third party on an otherwise privileged communication would also waive the privilege.”
Cher wants to become her son’s conservator
This came as Cher requested a court to become her son Elijah Blue Allman’s conservator.
In her December 27 filing, the actress reportedly noted, “Elijah is substantially unable to manage his financial resources due to severe mental health and substance abuse issues.”
The plea added, “Elijah is entitled to regular distributions from a trust established by his father for his benefit, but given his ongoing mental health and substance abuse issues, petitioner is concerned that any funds distributed to Elijah will immediately be spent on drugs, leaving Elijah with no assets to provide for himself, and putting Elijah’s life at risk.”
