The Maverick City Music lawsuit was filed on October 1, 2025, by singer Chandler Moore in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, accusing CEO Norman Gyamfi, Maverick City Music, and TRIBL Records of forging his signature on contracts, secretly selling the collective’s master recordings for a personal commission, and withholding more than $800,000 in royalties.1PACER Monitor. Moore et al v. Gyamfi et al2Christian Post. Chandler Moore Sues Maverick City Music CEO The case, docketed as 1:25-cv-05635, is in discovery as of mid-2026, with counterclaims from Maverick City pending and no trial date scheduled.
What Chandler Moore Alleges
Gyamfi had served as Moore’s personal and professional manager before becoming CEO of Maverick City Music in 2023, and the complaint says Moore placed “great trust and confidence” in him during that period.3Religion Unplugged. Chandler Moore Sues Maverick City CEO Norman Gyamfi Citing Forgery Moore says that trust was exploited in several concrete ways.
The lawsuit alleges Gyamfi electronically forged Moore’s signature on four separate agreements. The central forgery is said to have occurred on January 11, 2022, on a co-publishing deal between Maverick City Music and Sony Music Entertainment. That document purportedly transferred rights in Moore’s compositions and masters to The Orchard, a Sony distribution arm, and granted Maverick City Music power of attorney over Moore’s work, all without his knowledge or consent.3Religion Unplugged. Chandler Moore Sues Maverick City CEO Norman Gyamfi Citing Forgery
Moore says he introduced Gyamfi to Maverick City Music in 2020. The complaint claims Gyamfi then negotiated to become a co-owner of the collective behind Moore’s back, and that in 2021 he brokered the sale of Maverick City’s master recordings to The Orchard without telling Moore about the deal or disclosing that he personally received a commission on it.4Billboard. Chandler Moore Fraud Lawsuit Against Maverick City Music
On the money side, the complaint says Moore fulfilled his obligations under a 2024 contract by recording new music and touring, but that Gyamfi and associates withheld more than $800,000 in royalties he was owed.2Christian Post. Chandler Moore Sues Maverick City Music CEO Moore alleges Gyamfi routed his earnings through a network of entities under his control, including Insignia Holding, Insignia Assets, TRIBL Publishing, TRIBL Records, Maverick City Music, and Maverick City Publishing.3Religion Unplugged. Chandler Moore Sues Maverick City CEO Norman Gyamfi Citing Forgery
The suit brings claims for breach of contract, forgery, and conversion, and asks the court to void all of Moore’s existing contracts with Maverick City Music and award financial damages.4Billboard. Chandler Moore Fraud Lawsuit Against Maverick City Music Moore is represented by Sam Lipshie of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings.1PACER Monitor. Moore et al v. Gyamfi et al
How Maverick City Has Responded
Gyamfi has not publicly addressed the lawsuit. Co-founder Jonathan Jay posted a statement on Instagram on October 8, 2025, calling the allegations “categorically false.” He described the group’s business dealings with Moore as “forthright, generous and above reproach” and called the suit a “calculated attempt to strong-arm a way out of agreements Chandler made freely and later breached.”5Billboard. Jonathan Jay Responds to Chandler Moore Maverick City Music Lawsuit Jay said the group welcomed “a full and honest examination” of the evidence.6Relevant Magazine. Maverick City Music Co-Founder Issues Statement Saying Recent Allegations Are Simply Not True
Maverick City Music has filed counterclaims against Moore, though the specific allegations and damages sought have not been publicly detailed.7Jubilee Cast. Chandler Moore Cleared for Solo Music During Lawsuit The defendants are represented by Reed Smith LLP.1PACER Monitor. Moore et al v. Gyamfi et al
Where the Case Stands
On February 5, 2026, Judge Sarah E. Geraghty denied Maverick City’s request for an injunction that would have prevented Moore from releasing solo music while the case was pending. She found that Maverick City had failed to show it was likely to succeed on the merits, citing “too much uncertainty” over whether Moore had satisfied a 10-song recording commitment to TRIBL Records. Moore recorded 11 songs in 2024, but only eight appeared on his live album, leaving the obligation disputed. The judge noted her decision came at an “early stage” and was “subject to change” as evidence developed.8Billboard. Chandler Moore Allowed to Release Solo Music During Maverick City Lawsuit
The case is now in discovery. Docket activity from June 12, 2026, shows subpoenas served on Elevation Worship for document production.1PACER Monitor. Moore et al v. Gyamfi et al No trial date has been set, and no settlement discussions have been reported.
The Separate Tony Brown Lawsuit
Moore’s case is not the only litigation involving Maverick City Music, and the two are easy to confuse. Co-founder Tony Brown has been in a separate dispute since 2024 over his departure from the collective.
Brown sold his shares of Maverick City Music to Gyamfi in 2023 for $5 million, payable in installments. He later sued Gyamfi and Insignia Assets in Georgia, alleging they failed to complete the payments and that Gyamfi had hired music industry veteran Louis Burrell, brother of MC Hammer, to coerce him into the buyout by threatening “character assassination” and “mountains of debt.” An amended complaint filed on October 17, 2025, added claims under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.9Billboard. Maverick City Music RICO Lawsuit and Chandler Moore Claims
On February 10, 2026, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker dismissed Brown’s Atlanta case, ruling that a jurisdiction clause in the buyout contract required it to be heard in New York. The judge rejected the coercion claims, finding the agreement had been “freely negotiated” by “competent counsel” on both sides.10Billboard. Maverick City Music Founder Lawsuit Dismissed by Judge Maverick City had argued there was “no evidence Burrell actually worked for Maverick City” and that the deal was struck on a “level playing field.”9Billboard. Maverick City Music RICO Lawsuit and Chandler Moore Claims
Maverick City separately countersued Brown in New York at the end of 2025, seeking $10 million and alleging he violated a non-compete clause by launching a new project called God Aura.11Radio X. Maverick City Music Did Not Coerce Co-Founder’s Buyout Deal Judge Rules in Lawsuit On April 29, 2026, New York Judge Nancy M. Bannon granted a preliminary injunction barring Brown from releasing God Aura music and ordering him to remove a December 2025 album, “Wonderful Child,” from streaming services while the case proceeds.12Billboard. Maverick City Music Co-Founder New Music Lawsuit That case has also entered discovery.
Who Has Left the Group
Moore announced his departure from Maverick City Music on October 6, 2025, five days after filing his complaint. He called the decision “bittersweet” and said he wanted to pursue solo work that helps people feel “a little more human, a little more understood, and a little less alone.” Before leaving, Moore had scored his first solo Gospel Airplay number one with “Lead Me On” and released “Chandler Moore: Live in Los Angeles.”13Billboard. Chandler Moore and Naomi Raine Exit Maverick City Music
Founding member Naomi Raine announced her exit the same day, saying God had given her “the green light to step into what He’s calling me to do individually.”13Billboard. Chandler Moore and Naomi Raine Exit Maverick City Music Raine is not involved in any of the legal proceedings.14Christian Post. Maverick City Co-Founder Denies Chandler Moore’s Allegations Jay and Gyamfi remain in leadership roles, and the collective has continued releasing music, including a 17-song album, “I Was Made To Glorify Your Name,” on February 27, 2026.15Maverick City Music. Maverick City Music Official Site