Lil Wayne & Chris Brown Allegedly Spent Millions of Taxpayer Dollars on Luxury Purchases

Lil Wayne and Chris Brown have found themselves embroiled in a controversy over the alleged misuse of taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief grants. According to a Business Insider report, both artists are accused of using millions of dollars in taxpayer money intended for pandemic relief on luxury items and personal expenses.

Lil Wayne’s Alleged Misuse of $8.9 Million in Grants

Lil Wayne, whose estimated net worth exceeds $150 million, reportedly received $8.9 million from a COVID-19 relief fund, only to allegedly spend a significant portion of that money on non-essential luxury purchases. Among the reported expenditures were $1.3 million for private jet flights, nearly $500,000 on designer clothes from high-end brands such as Gucci and Balenciaga, and $175,000 for a music festival appearance promoting his marijuana brand.

Wayne also allegedly used the relief fund to settle a $2 million debt to his former manager, Cortez Bryant, as well as paying $1 million in commissions to Young Money president Mack Maine. Further expenses included over $1 million in legal fees and accounting costs. The rapper is also accused of spending $15,000 on hotel stays for women, including a porn star and a Hooters waitress.

While Wayne has yet to respond to these allegations, a request for comment by Business Insider reportedly led to the rapper making an inappropriate and sexually explicit remark rather than addressing the questions.

Chris Brown’s $10 Million Grant Misuse

Chris Brown is also under scrutiny for allegedly misusing a $10 million grant he received through his company, CBE Touring. Reports suggest that over half of the money went directly to Brown himself. The $80,000 spent on his 33rd birthday party, which included nude dancers and a $3,000 dancefloor, was also funded by taxpayer dollars. Additionally, the singer is accused of spending close to $1 million on lawyers and accountants, while his manager received $823,000 from the grant.

Brown, like Wayne, has not responded to the accusations.

Other Artists Involved

Lil Wayne and Chris Brown are not the only artists linked to the controversy over the misuse of COVID-19 relief funds. Rae Sremmurd are reported to have received $7.7 million in grants through their company Sremm Touring. Other artists, including rock band Alice in Chains, EDM stars Marshmello and Steve Aoki, and rock group Shinedown, have also been named in connection with large grants they received during the pandemic.

The Alleged Contradictions in Lil Wayne’s Grant Application

Reports regarding Lil Wayne’s misuse of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant first surfaced in March 2024. To qualify for the grant, applicants were required to certify that they operated a “drug-free workplace,” a stipulation that directly contradicts Wayne’s well-known marijuana use. This has raised questions about whether the rapper violated the terms of the grant.

Uncertain Future for the Funds

It remains unclear whether the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant will seek to retrieve the funds that were allegedly misused. However, the accusations have drawn attention to how some high-profile individuals may have taken advantage of relief funds during a time of crisis, highlighting a potential need for stricter oversight in the distribution of government grants.

As the investigation continues, both Lil Wayne and Chris Brown face significant public scrutiny over their alleged misuse of taxpayer money during the pandemic.