Shocking revelations reveal top artists like Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, and Marshmello allegedly misused millions in Covid relief funds for luxury items, private jets, and parties.
A stunning new report by Business Insider has uncovered how some of the biggest names in the music industry reportedly misused millions of dollars in federal Covid relief funds, initially intended to help struggling venues and businesses.
The allegations paint a disturbing picture of how funds from the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, meant to help preserve live entertainment jobs and support the touring sector during the pandemic, were allegedly funneled into private indulgences.
Among those reportedly using the funds in ways far removed from their intended purpose are iconic artists such as Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, and Marshmello, as well as legendary rock band Alice in Chains.
While some of the expenditures may not be strictly illegal, they raise serious ethical questions and have prompted accusations of “abuse of federal resources.”
According to documents obtained by Insider, Chris Brown’s company, CBE Touring, received a staggering $10 million in Covid relief aid. Of that amount, around half went directly into Brown’s pockets. However, the spending of this money raised many eyebrows.
Brown allegedly spent $80,000 on a lavish 33rd birthday celebration, including $29,000 on hookahs and bottle service, $2,100 on “atmosphere models” (described as nude women in body paint), and more.
Even more questionable is the fact that Brown reportedly used $24,000 of the funds to take his tour bus on a month-long trip to Mexico, where he didn’t perform, but did manage to film a music video with fellow artist Jack Harlow.
Meanwhile, Lil Wayne is said to have received an $8.9 million grant from the same SVOG program, but documents suggest his spending habits were no less extravagant.
Allegedly, Wayne used $1.38 million of the funds on private jet flights, while also spending $460,000 on high-end fashion, including items like a $1,900 Balenciaga sweater and $950 Marni pants.
But it doesn’t stop there: Wayne is also accused of using $15,000 to cover luxury hotel stays and flights for women, including a waitress at a Hooters-style restaurant and an adult film actress.
In addition, Wayne is said to have used grant funds to pay off a debt to an ex-manager, cover commission fees for another manager, and even settle legal expenses.
Although both Brown and Wayne are claimed to have used a portion of the funds for touring-related expenses (such as contractor payments for Wayne’s shows, which totaled over $327,000, and crew payroll for Brown, which reached more than $383,000), the reports suggest that much of the money was spent on personal luxuries and not on the public-facing services for which it was intended.
In a particularly striking example, Insider also reports that Marshmello, the popular DJ and producer (real name Christopher Comstock), allegedly pocketed the entire $9.9 million his company received in federal aid.
Remarkably, the report claims that Marshmello’s earnings from touring in 2019—before the pandemic—had exceeded the amount he was given in relief funds, raising serious questions about why he even qualified for assistance in the first place.
Marshmello’s team has not yet responded to requests for comment.
But it’s not just the hip-hop and EDM world under scrutiny. Legendary rock band Alice in Chains is also facing scrutiny for its handling of federal relief funds.
The band’s touring company, AIC Entertainment, received $4.1 million, with some of the money reportedly going to pay staff and contractors like videographers and equipment rental companies. However, critics have pointed out that none of the funds went toward essential employee benefits, such as health insurance.
This became a particularly tragic issue when the band’s long-time guitar tech and photographer, Scott Dachroeden, was diagnosed with cancer in 2022 and had to launch a GoFundMe campaign to help cover his medical expenses.
Dachroeden, who passed away earlier this year, was reportedly referred by Alice in Chains to a charity that assists with medical bills instead of receiving direct support from the band.
Adding to the controversy, Insider claims that Jerry Cantrell, Alice in Chains’ frontman and guitarist, received a hefty $1.4 million from the SVOG fund. Drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Inez reportedly received around $682,000 each.
These revelations have prompted questions about whether the band could have done more to support their employees in times of crisis.
Alice in Chains has not commented on the situation, despite multiple requests from Rolling Stone for clarification.
These shocking revelations come on the heels of growing concerns over the potential misuse of pandemic-related relief funds.
With billions of dollars in government aid handed out to help the arts and entertainment industry survive the devastation of COVID-19, the question now arises: how many other artists and companies used taxpayer money for personal gain, rather than to help the workers and businesses that the programs were designed to assist?
In a statement, Senator Gary Peters, who has long advocated for greater oversight of federal relief programs, expressed his concern, calling the use of funds for private indulgences “an abuse of federal resources.” And he’s not alone.
Critics argue that this could be just the tip of the iceberg, with many more high-profile figures in the entertainment industry potentially under investigation for similar misuse of funds.
The situation highlights the broader issue of accountability in government aid programs.
As relief efforts wind down, it’s becoming clear that significant portions of these funds may have been siphoned off by those in positions of wealth and privilege, rather than being used to support struggling workers, venues, and small businesses that were hardest hit by the pandemic.
As for Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Marshmello, and Alice in Chains, their teams have not yet responded to Rolling Stone‘s repeated requests for comment, leaving fans and the public wondering just how deep this scandal really goes—and whether these artists will ever be held accountable for the millions they allegedly misused.
This report is a stark reminder of how easily systems designed to support people in times of crisis can be exploited by those with the means to do so.
What started as a lifeline for struggling businesses now raises uncomfortable questions about the intersection of wealth, privilege, and government aid.
Stay tuned, as this developing story continues to unfold.
