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Artist News Legal
Country star sues green group
By CMU Editorial | Published on Monday 12 January 2009
Country singer Merle Haggard has sued a green group in Nashville claiming that it illegally used his name and likeness to raise money.
The musician alleges that environmental group The Green Train forged his signature and exaggerated his involvement with them, and feels that his reputation could be irreparably harmed by this association.
The suit has been brought against the organisation and its founder Robert K Wolf, and seeks unspecified compensatory damages.
According to reports, The Green Train, a not-for-profit organisation which seeks to educate the public on environmental issues, have organised a train-based concert tour starting in April and visiting 28 US states over the course of six weeks.
Haggard says in his suit that he did get involved with the project, donating $20,000, agreeing to ride the train as support and entertainment, attending a fundraising lunch, and agreeing to ask fellow artists to ride the train, but he maintains that the group have exaggerated his personal involvement.
It’s claimed that his signature was forged on merchandise sold on eBay as well as on personal letters, a number of which went to friends of his in the music industry, including including Dolly Parton, Jewel, Vince Gill and Amy Grant.
Haggard also contends that the group don’t have a state permit to raise contributions, and that much of the money that was raised went to Wolf’s personal use.
The lawsuit concludes: “By using Mr. Haggard’s name and other aspects of Mr. Haggard’s identity to promote the Green Train project under these circumstances, defendants create the false impression that the project has been operated in a credible, ethical and legal fashion, when in fact that is not the case”.
