The artist known as Calvin Harris has initiated legal proceedings against his former financial advisor, Thomas St. John, alleging the theft of more than $22.5 million. The funds were reportedly invested in a Hollywood real estate development that Harris's legal team has described as a potential fraud.
According to an arbitration demand filed in a Los Angeles court, Harris claims he was systematically misled into funding the project without receiving adequate information or any return on his investment.
Key Takeaways
- Calvin Harris filed an arbitration demand against his ex-financial advisor, Thomas St. John, on September 12, 2025.
- The filing alleges that over $22.5 million was misappropriated for a real estate project named "CMNTY Culture Campus."
- Harris's lawyers claim he was given misleading information and has not received any return on his investment.
- St. John's attorney denies any wrongdoing, stating Harris was an active participant and that market delays are normal.
Legal Action Initiated in Los Angeles
Adam Richard Wiles, professionally known as Calvin Harris, filed an arbitration demand at the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. The legal document targets Thomas St. John, who served as the DJ's financial advisor from 2012 to 2025.
The filing accuses St. John and unnamed conspirators of systematically taking advantage of Harris. It claims the scheme centered on a large-scale real estate venture in Hollywood that ultimately failed to materialize as promised.
The "CMNTY Culture Campus" Project
The project at the heart of the dispute is the "CMNTY Culture Campus." It was presented as a 460,000-square-foot development designed for creative professionals, including musicians and recording engineers.
The proposed campus was meant to feature recording studios, artist lounges, and office spaces. Court documents state that St. John began seeking investors for this project in early 2021. He approached Harris for funding in 2023, citing a shortage of cash.
Background on the Dispute
The core of the legal filing is the claim that Harris was persuaded to invest a significant sum without a full understanding of the project's risks or St. John's intentions. The documents allege a breach of trust between the artist and his long-time financial advisor.
Details of the Disputed Investment
Harris accuses St. John of failing to disclose his true intentions while soliciting the investment. The filing alleges that crucial information about the project's viability and structure was withheld.
To facilitate the investment, St. John allegedly created a limited liability company named Claimant Lewis LLC specifically for Harris. Through this entity, Harris invested a total of $22.5 million into the real estate venture.
Investment Breakdown
- $10 million was structured as a loan from Lewis LLC to another entity, Hollywood LLC, which was managing the project.
- $12.5 million was an equity investment directly into Hollywood LLC.
The arbitration demand states that the documents for these transactions were sent to Harris via DocuSign and were "materially misleading." It further alleges that St. John did not provide any context or detailed information to support the investment decision.
Allegations of Misdirected Funds
A central claim in the legal filing is the movement of funds after the investment was made. According to the documents, shortly after receiving the money, St. John caused Hollywood LLC to transfer $11.7 million to another company, Dun & Dun LLC.
The filing notes that Dun & Dun LLC is the managing entity of Hollywood LLC and is controlled by St. John. This transfer raised significant concerns for Harris and his legal team about the use of the invested capital.
"To this day, Claimants do not know where Claimants’ investment has gone or what it has been used for. Mr. Wiles has not received a single penny in return for that investment, and, indeed, Respondents have not even started developing or building the project."
The legal team described the project as, "at best, a complete boondoggle, and, at worst, a complete fraud." They also noted that the project's focus reportedly shifted in 2024 to residential housing due to "shifting market dynamics," a change they claim was not promptly communicated to Harris.
Advisor Denies All Wrongdoing
In response to the allegations, Thomas St. John's attorney, Sasha Frid, issued a statement denying any misconduct. Frid asserted that Calvin Harris was not a passive victim but an active participant in the investment.
"Mr. Harris actively pursued this development opportunity," Frid stated, adding that he was "one of several investors" in the project. The attorney suggested that Harris's discontent stems from the project's slow progress.
Frid attributed the delays to broader economic factors. "It’s no secret that due to interest rates and other market factors real estate projects are taking longer to build," he explained. Despite the delays, the attorney maintains the development remains viable.
According to the statement, the project is "expected to have a $900+ million valuation when completed." Frid concluded, "Mr. St. John denies any wrongdoing."
Future Plans and Appearances
Separately from his legal disputes, Calvin Harris continues his music career. It was recently announced that he will be the first headliner for the Creamfields festival in 2026, signaling his ongoing presence in the electronic music scene.
