Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and their supergroup Mount Westmore are seeking to dismiss deposition requests in a $1.3 million lawsuit brought by Los Angeles-based Westside Merchandising, which accuses the performers of fraud and breach of contract tied to a failed merchandise deal.
In filings submitted in August, attorneys for Snoop Dogg, 53, and Ice Cube, 56, urged the court to relieve the artists from attending in-person depositions, calling the request “harassing, oppressive, and burdensome.” Counsel argued that their clients, as public figures with rigorous professional schedules, would not provide new or substantive information and instead proposed that Westside question their associate, Tony Draper.
Westside declined the offer, prompting the artists’ legal team to accuse the company of attempting to “force a settlement” through procedural pressure. Should the court compel their appearance, the defendants requested to testify virtually and limit questioning to two hours. Court records indicate Snoop Dogg was filming a movie through October 21, while Ice Cube was managing his Big3 basketball league and preparing for a concert tour.
Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube & Mount Westmore Sued For Alleged Fraud
In a September filing, Westside urged the judge to deny the rappers’ motion and sanction them for delaying discovery. The company claims it has been “extremely cooperative” and is seeking $11,000 in attorney fees related to the dispute. The court has yet to issue a ruling.
Westside first filed suit in November 2023, naming Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, E-40, Too Short, and their joint venture, Mount Westmore LLC, as defendants. The complaint alleges the group breached a 2022 merchandising agreement by failing to fulfill promotional and touring obligations. Westside claims it advanced the artists $1.375 million in exchange for exclusive rights to sell Mount Westmore-branded merchandise during a planned 60-date North American and European tour, which allegedly never materialized.
Counsel for the artists maintains they have acted in good faith. “Despite multiple efforts to resolve this matter amicably, Westside has refused to engage,” attorney Frank Seddigh said in a statement.
Westside’s lawyer, John Fowler, countered that the defendants are “avoiding difficult questions about their conduct.”
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