Lady Gaga Suspected of Profiting from Japan Relief Campaign

Stefani Germanotta, better known as Lady Gaga, has been sued because it is thought that she may have profited from her campaign to raise funds for Japan. In March of this year, much of northeast Japan was destroyed by a tsunami. Lady Gaga created and sold relief bracelets with the message “We Pray for Japan” in order to raise money to help rebuild the areas affected by the natural disaster. The bracelets themselves cost $5 and there were also fees of $3.99 and $0.60 for shipping and tax respectively. Although $1.5 million was donated to Zynga for the cause, there is speculation that the celebrity inflated the cost of shipping and pocketed this money for herself. Because Lady Gaga’s website explicitly states that “All proceeds go directly to Japan relief efforts,” any personal financial gains on the part of the singer would be illegal. No verdict has yet been reached on the case. The initial complaint can be viewed here.

For more information please visit:

NonProfit Law Blog Prof – “Update: Lady Gaga Denies Japan Fundraising Allegations”

Rolling Stone – “Lady Gaga Sued Over Japan Relief Bracelets”

USA Today – “Lady Gaga: Lawsuit Over Japan Bracelets is ‘Without Merit’”

Post submitted by Meredith Hale.