Mary J. Blige’s foundation is under investigation for various financial discrepancies. The Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN) was formed in 2007 by the R&B star in collaboration with her former record label executive.
The New York Post reports that FFAWN directors allegedly failed to file tax returns for 2010 and its state charity registration, which must be filed annually. Two lawsuits have been filed for these incidences. Another lawsuit has been filed against the foundation earlier this month by a group of musicians who received checks that bounced after performing at a benefit concert for FFAWN in May 2011. “We got a whole series of checks â rubber,” says Harvey Mars, the lawyer representing the musicians.
FFAWN has also allegedly defaulted on a quarter-million dollar loan from TD Bank borrowed in June 2011. According to TMZ, the foundation has only returned $368.33.
And the financial woes don’t end there. Thousands upon thousands of dollars in donations are also reportedly missing. Since 2009, a combined amount totaling over $165,000 in donations from Mary J. Blige, her business partner Steve Stoute, Jay-Z, Gucci, and Walmart execs are not listed in the groups 2010 annual report under financing.
A spokesperson for Blige tells TMZ that the foundation is “presently transitioning its management and headquarters.”
