Timbaland Sues Ex-Managers For $15 Million After Foreclosure Scare

Timbaland sought $15 million from former manager Gary Marella and business manager Bruce Seckendorf, accusing them of draining his finances while his mortgage went unpaid.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, he filed the 65-page complaint October 30 in Los Angeles Superior Court. The claims included fraud, civil theft and breach of fiduciary duty.

Timbaland alleged a 2025 foreclosure notice exposed the problems, including unpaid federal taxes and penalties. He accused Marella of taking excess commissions from “Verzuz” payments and his catalog sale, plus mismanaging their Beatclub venture.

THR detailed allegations that Marella took $500,000 extra on each of two $5 million “Verzuz” payments and $775,000 above his stated 10 percent catalog-sale commission.

“The foreclosure was not caused simply because Plaintiffs had no money,” the complaint said, according to THR.

Mono Music Group, LL Business Management and Seckendorf Hasson Reilly & Kobay CPA’s were also named. THR reported that neither man nor their firms immediately responded to its comment requests. The report said both men were fired in 2025.

The catalog sale involved years of Timbaland’s work. Hipgnosis announced the purchase in October 2019, describing a collection of 108 albums and songs. Its announcement included work recorded by Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Missy Elliott and Justin Timberlake. Marella appeared in that announcement as Timbaland’s manager and welcomed the agreement.

Beatclub grew from another idea the two men pursued together. In a 2021 Associated Press interview, Timbaland described calling Marella with his plan for a marketplace that could help lesser-known creators reach established artists.

The proposed model let members set prices and retain their music rights, revenue and publishing royalties. Timbaland also framed the venture as a way to learn the business side of music.

“You’re learning financial literacy,” he told AP at the time.

Marella told AP he backed the idea immediately. Justin Timberlake had joined and said Timbaland was already introducing him to collaborators through Beatclub.

“Verzuz” also had its own history of payment disputes. AllHipHop reported in March 2024 that Timbaland and Swizz Beatz sought unpaid attorney’s fees from Triller following a settlement over the platform. That action concerned Triller’s obligations under their agreement.