Grammy-winning producer Timbaland has sued his former manager and business manager for more than $15 million, accusing them of taking millions in unauthorized payments, falsifying financial records and mishandling his finances so badly that his home nearly went into foreclosure.
In a lawsuit filed Friday, October 30, 2026, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Timbaland, whose legal name is Timothy Mosley, alleges that Gary Marella and Bruce Seckendorf diverted money from his music businesses while failing to meet major financial obligations. Marella denies wrongdoing and blames the producer's financial difficulties on excessive spending.
The complaint accuses Marella of collecting at least $2.5 million in excessive or unauthorized commissions, along with improper fees and reimbursements. Mosley also alleges that his former manager used undisclosed American Express cards for personal expenses, including groceries, cosmetic medical procedures and family vacations.
Among the disputed transactions are two $5 million payments Mosley received in 2021 from Verzuz, the music platform he co-founded with Swizz Beatz. The lawsuit claims Marella collected $1.5 million in commissions from those payments despite being entitled to only $1 million.
Mosley also alleges that Marella and his company received an additional $775,000 beyond their authorized commission from a 2019 music catalog sale to Hipgnosis. The complaint further accuses Marella of mismanaging Beatclub, their music technology venture, and using company funds to cover financial problems he allegedly created.
Seckendorf, who handled Mosley's business finances, is accused of facilitating unauthorized payments, concealing financial irregularities and failing to make required tax and mortgage payments. Mosley claims he discovered the alleged misconduct in March 2025 after receiving a foreclosure notice involving his home.
The producer and his attorney, Tynia Coats, also allege that financial records were falsified to conceal payments. They cited a document listing a $16,000 payment to a consultant who allegedly received $165,000, along with emails purportedly altered to show Mosley had approved a $250,000 attorney payment rather than the $100,000 he authorized.
Marella disputed the allegations, telling entertainment news outlets that Timbaland had generated approximately $75 million in business during their nine-year working relationship but continued spending beyond his means. He maintained that the producer's financial difficulties resulted from his own decisions rather than management misconduct.
The former manager also denied secretly collecting commissions, arguing that Seckendorf handled the payments and that Mosley was aware of his financial arrangements. Marella attributed Beatclub's financial problems partly to difficulties developing the platform and said he and Mosley had jointly obtained a $1 million loan to address company obligations.
Coats rejected Marella's explanation, arguing that he was hired to manage Mosley's business affairs and protect his financial interests. She disputed his characterization of the producer's spending and said her client would welcome a complete accounting of the money generated during their working relationship.
The lawsuit asserts claims including breach of fiduciary duty, fraudulent concealment, breach of contract, and civil theft. Mosley is seeking more than $15 million in damages and has requested a jury trial. The allegations against Marella and Seckendorf have not been adjudicated.
