Death Row Owners Sued For $25 Million

The new owners of rap mogul MARION 'SUGE' KNIGHT's Death Row Records are facing a multi-million dollar lawsuit - over claims the purchase of the company was mired in deceit.

Susan Berg's Global Music Group purchased the failing form for $25 million (GBP12.5 million) at auction last month (Jun08) - seeing off competition from music industry heavyweights Warner Music Group to pick up the company Knight founded in 1991.

But now venture capitalist Ron Goldberg - who had also prepared a bid for Death Row - has come forward, filing legal papers accusing Global Music Group president Anthony Marotta of conspiring with investors who were originally recruited by Goldberg and closing the deal without his knowledge.

He also claims officials at Global Music Group used Goldberg's "contacts" and "confidential know-how" to seal the deal. Owner Susan Berg has also been named in the $25 million (GBP12.5 million) suit, according to Allhiphop.com.

The record label was once at the forefront of the hip-hop music scene and the purchase included the company's recording back catalogue of artists including Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.

Knight lost control of the business when he filed for bankruptcy in 2006 and the firm was placed into receivership.