Lydia Harris, Former Death Row Records Executive, Pursues $107 Million Judgment
Lydia Harris, once a prominent figure in the rap industry, declares, “I am determined to recover what is rightfully mine.”
DailyMail.com can exclusively report that Harris, instrumental in the operations of Death Row Records, is taking legal action against Snoop Dogg, Marion ‘Suge’ Knight, and major music corporations including Universal Music Group, Time Warner, and Interscope Records. This lawsuit pertains to a $107 million judgment previously awarded to her.
The 61-year-old Harris, who was married to Death Row co-founder Michael ‘Harry-O’ Harris, played a vital role in managing the record label during her husband’s imprisonment. Death Row Records rose to fame representing iconic artists such as Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg.
Decades-Long Legal Dispute
In 2005, the same year she divorced Harry-O, Harris secured a $107 million default judgment against Suge Knight, the infamous head of Death Row, and associated companies. This judgment followed her allegations that Knight had defrauded her of her rightful share in the highly profitable enterprise.
However, she has yet to receive any payment.
Harris is now employing a revised legal strategy, directly suing prominent record labels and influential hip hop figures whom she alleges colluded with Knight in his scheme.
Lydia Harris is reigniting her 20-year legal battle against Death Row Records and Marion ‘Suge’ Knight (right). Michael ‘Harry-O’ Harris (left), co-founder and Lydia’s former husband
On Tuesday, Lydia initiated her lawsuit against Snoop Dogg (center), Suge (middle left), and music industry giants Universal Music Group, Time Warner, and Interscope Records, seeking to recover a $107 million judgment, as revealed by DailyMail.com.
Lydia contributed to the management of Death Row Records while her husband was incarcerated for 17 years. In 2005, she won a judgment against Suge and related entities after claiming he deprived her of her stake in the lucrative business.
Harris Claims “Betrayal, Silence, and Exclusion”
“For over two decades, I have been pursuing what is rightfully owed to me. What began as a vision devolved into betrayal, silence, and exclusion,” Harris stated in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com.
“While others have reaped the rewards, my family and I, the rightful beneficiaries, have been left with nothing.”
Harris and Harry O have a daughter, LyDasia.
“This action is not rooted in bitterness, but in the pursuit of justice. I have dedicated significant years of my life to this endeavor, and I refuse to allow my contributions to be disregarded,” she emphasized. “I hold respect for all parties involved, but respect does not necessitate silence.”
“I am prepared to reach a resolution. I am ready to receive the compensation due to me. It is time for fairness, truth, and justice to prevail.”
Legal Grounds for the New Lawsuit
The lawsuit, lodged in a Texas federal court on Tuesday, levels accusations of ‘fraud on the court, civil conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and abuse of legal process’ against Snoop Dogg, Suge Knight, Universal, Time Warner, and Interscope Records.
Lydia Harris informed DailyMail.com that Suge Knight and his legal team attempted to circumvent the substantial judgment by falsely claiming that Harry-O had signed a release forgiving the debt.
Lydia pictured at Death Row Records alongside Warner Bros. executive Mo Ostin (bottom left), DJ Battle Cat (bottom center), talent manager Benny Medina (third from left), and rapper Dana Dane (third from right).
She alleges that record labels, executives, and rap artists have ‘refused to produce financial records’, ‘submitted fraudulent and misleading legal filings’, and ‘engaged in bad-faith legal tactics.’
Lydia posing with defense attorney David Kenner, who has represented both Snoop Dogg and Suge Knight.
Harris’s lawsuit also names ‘Time Warner,’ a predecessor to the current media conglomerate Warner Bros. Discovery, as a defendant.
Time Warner underwent a renaming to ‘WarnerMedia’ before being acquired by AT&T in 2018. Subsequently, in 2022, it became ‘Warner Bros. Discovery’ following a spin-off and merger with Discovery Inc.
Allegations of Conspiracy and Obstruction
Harris asserts the existence of ‘a deliberate and orchestrated conspiracy’ involving Interscope Records, Time Warner, Universal Music Group, Death Row Records, and other entities to unlawfully deprive her of the $107 million judgment awarded in 2005.
She further accuses these parties of ‘refusing to produce financial records’, ‘submitting fraudulent and misleading legal filings’, and ‘engaging in bad-faith legal tactics’.
According to the legal documents, the defendants ‘willfully obstructed judicial discovery, refused to comply with court orders, and engaged in fraudulent legal maneuvers to evade accountability.’
Harris, currently residing in Sugar Land, Texas, informed DailyMail.com that Suge Knight and his legal representatives attempted to invalidate the substantial judgment by falsely claiming Harry-O had signed a release effectively relinquishing the debt.
Harry-O received a 28-year prison sentence in 1987 for kidnapping and attempted murder. He co-founded Death Row Records while incarcerated.
He ultimately served 33 years before his sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump at the end of his first presidential term.
Legal filings allege that the defendants ‘willfully obstructed judicial discovery, refused to comply with court orders and engaged in fraudulent legal maneuvers to evade accountability’
Lydia contends that Suge and his associates strategically filed for bankruptcy to protect Death Row’s assets and engage in deceptive financial practices regarding the record label’s vast profits.
“Still Owed the Cash Pile”
Harris maintains that she never signed any such release and is still owed the full sum.
She alleges that Knight and his associates strategically declared bankruptcy to shield Death Row’s assets and manipulate the record label’s significant earnings.
“New Documents” to Surface
Lydia further asserts that her lawsuit will present ‘new documents’ purportedly demonstrating that Time Warner and Universal executives were aware of Suge’s alleged deceptive tactics and participated in concealing the $107 million from her.
However, she appears to have faced challenges in securing legal representation for this case, filing the new lawsuit ‘pro se,’ meaning she is representing herself without legal counsel.
Legal professionals may have been deterred by her prior disputes with former legal teams, including accusations against Wasserman, Comden & Casselman for alleged misrepresentation in the original lawsuit.
Longest-Running Case in Los Angeles Courts
The Death Row case stands as one of the most protracted legal battles in the Los Angeles court system.
Peter Ezzell, an attorney previously involved in the case, stated he possesses 17 boxes of documents pertaining to the matter, which has ‘gone on through generations’ since Harris initially sued Knight in 2002.