Songs in the key of strife: Stevie Wonder sued for $7 million

The widow of Stevie Wonder's former lawyer is suing the singer alleging unpaid royalties and damages totalling $7 million.

Published 3rd Mar 2015

Stevie Wonder is being sued by the widow of his former lawyer who alleges he owes her $7 million in unpaid royalties.

Susan Strack’s late husband Johanan Vigoda worked as Wonder’s lawyer from 1971 until 2011. She says he helped him escape from an ‘oppressive’ working relationship with his record company and that he had, "one of the most lucrative contract terms in the music industry." She says the money is still owed to his estate from an agreed 6 percent royalty, payable forever.

Strack claims that Wonder has failed to keep to this arrangement since 2013, despite maintaining it for several years after her husband’s death, as well as instructing others organisations to do the same.

Now she has instructed her lawyer to sue for $7 million, seeking damages for breach of written agreement, intentional interference with contract and conversion.