Neal Schon, his wife Michaele, and Jonathan Cain have all commented on Schon taking legal action against Cain over restricted access to the band’s American Express account.
Schon writes on Facebook, “The only comment I’ll make at this time is it’s all very unfortunate, and I tried for over a year to attain all our corporate records for [our corporation] Nomota with many personal emails to Jon as well as many legal letters stating it’s my legal right to see all, but I was left with no choice but to take it legal.
“There’s much more … since I filed I’ll be following my attorneys advice and not speak until we are in court where I’ll not have a problem at all. It is what it is.”
But there is more, as Michaele Schon, writes, “Much more than the credit card is going on…
“Neal agreed to make Cain a partner in 2020 because Jon Cain said he was sorry for the wrong doings he did and Neal forgave him, with the belief that someday Cain said he would pay him back. Cain hasn’t paid him yet.
“Jon Cain and [his wife, televangelist] Paula White added her name on the Journey bank account behind Neal Schön’s back and violated his directive as the President and Founder of Journey against his wishes and per the court agreement.
“The bank just informed that they did this in 2020…
“Jon Cain and Paula White want to kick out Neal Schön’s attorney who won the right for Journey to carry on and tour!! What is wrong with them? Why do they want to harm Neal Schön & Journey?…
“These are not spiritual things to do to others. Especially Neal Schon who has given so much.”
Cain has responded with a countersuit and released a statement saying, “This is a matter that should have been resolved privately, but I am forced to publicly respond now to Neal’s malicious lies and personal attacks on my family and I in an effort to garner public support for his ill-conceived lawsuit — a lawsuit that has absolutely no merit.
“Neal has always had access to the credit card statements; what he lacks — and what he is really seeking — is the ability to increase his spending limits. Since Neal decided to publicize what is going on, I can tell you we will present the evidence to the court that shows that Neal has been under tremendous financial pressure as a result of his excessive spending and extravagant lifestyle, which led to him running up enormous personal charges on the band’s credit card account.
“When efforts were made to limit his use of the card to legitimate band expenses, Neal unfortunately decided to attack me rather than trying to get his reckless spending under control. I am saddened by the situation — for Neal and for our fans — but since Neal filed a lawsuit, I suspect he will not be able to ignore the court like he has ignored the countless financial advisors and accountants he has fired over the past several years who have tried in vain to help him.”
And Cain’s lawyer Alan Gutman says, “The evidence will establish that Schon’s financial crisis has nothing to do with his professed ‘unfettered access to Nomota’s records.’
“Our investigation has established that Schon’s personal financial problems resulted solely from his reckless spending, including what preliminarily appears to be charging more than $1 million of improper personal expenses on the band’s corporate Nomota AMEX card.
“Schon’s complaint is the classic example of desperate people doing desperate things. It’s very unfortunate that Neal–and Neal alone–has created such difficulties for himself and his family through his profligate spending.”
A preliminary hearing scheduled for March 3rd.
No word if this legal action will interfere with the band’s next tour, which begins on January 27th in Durant, Oklahoma.
