Pretty Ricky Member Pleasure Sues For Back Pay

MTV News has obtained a federal complaint filed on behalf of former Pretty Ricky member Pleasure by his attorneys Robert Meloni and Steve Schwartz. The R&B singer (born Marcus Cooper), has submitted a number of allegations against Joseph “Blue” Smith and Bluestar Entertainment which is under Atlantic Records.

In the lawsuit the group’s management and booking company, International Artist Agency, has also been named.

Pleasure states that he was deceived by Smith who acted as a surrogate father and that Smith took on roles that conflicted with the interest of the group. The conflicts include acting as the business manager, music publisher, and the list goes on.

According to additional reporting, Pleasure is seeking a release from his contract with the label and is looking for back pay. The singer believes he was not properly compensated for his contributions to the group which could possibly be due to the two albums the group released which was certified as gold (500,000 units).

The singer accuses Smith of using physical intimidation when he began to seek out the friendship of others, and in one incident one of his friends was attacked.

Developing…