Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine Reaches $1.4 Million Settlement With Ex-Manager, Mustaine’s Countersuit Will Still Proceed

Megadeth founder Dave Mustaine has agreed to pay his former manager Corey Brennan $1.4 million USD to settle a lawsuit. Brennan, founder of 5B Artist Management, filed suit against Mustaine in June of last year, after Mustaine fired him several months prior in April.

Brennan claimed that the firing was conducted “unceremoniously” with no reason given for the termination. Brennan‘s legal team also alleged that Mustaine fired him to give his own son, Justis Mustaine, the opportunity to manage the legendary thrash metal band.

Brennan alleged that he was owed over $1 million in unpaid touring and merchandise commissions for his work with the band. Billboard report that a filing made public today, November 13th, revealed a settlement had been reached between Mustaine and Brennan that will find Mustaine paying out his former manager $1,400,006.

Howard King, who represented Brennan in the suit, commented of this latest settlement:

“Dave Mustaine, who has a known history of firing advisors, terminated Five B Artist Management after 9 years of their having resurrected his failing career. Ignoring the success Five B had helped Dave achieve, including a campaign to help him win his first Grammy, the release of two hit albums, and the elevation of his touring from small clubs back to arenas and amphitheaters, Dave simply refused to pay commissions owing and forced 5B to file a lawsuit.”

Mustaine and Megadeth had been a client of 5B Management since 2014. While this settlement addressed the legal filings put forth against Mustaine by Brennan and his firm, Mustaine‘s own countersuit against Breenan and co. was not addressed by it.

Mustaine alleges that Brennan‘s tenure overseeing the band’s career was peppered with “repeated management failures” that it had “dealt serious blows to Megadeth’s reputation and even David Mustaine’s physical health.” Among those claims is harm to the hearing of the the tenured vocalist/guitarist. Mustaine has thusly alleged breach of contract and negligence, with his complaint currently headed for trial.