Chandler Moore–Maverick City Controversy Explained: Why Is CEO Jonathan Jay Being Sued For Fraud

Chandler Moore and his legal team filed a civil complaint in the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on October 1, accusing Norman Gyamfi and Maverick City-related entities of defrauding Moore out of royalties and ownership interests. According to Billboard, the lawsuit names Maverick City Music, TRIBL Records, and several affiliated companies alongside Gyamfi as defendants.Moore claims that while Gyamfi served as his manager, he abused that trust. The lawsuit alleges that Gyamfi orchestrated a 2021 sale of Maverick City masters to Orchard (a Sony subsidiary) without Moore’s knowledge—and failed to disclose that he stood to benefit financially. It further alleges that in 2022, Gyamfi diverted royalties owed to Moore into Maverick City’s accounts, forging Moore’s signature on agreements to facilitate the transfers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chandler Moore (@chandlerdmoore)Financial Withholding and Ownership DisputesThe complaint further asserts that Moore fulfilled contractual obligations in 2024—writing songs, touring and delivering what his contracts required—but did not receive royalties promised to him. Moore alleges that more than $800,000 was withheld by Gyamfi and Maverick City. The suit states that Gyamfi secretly transferred Moore’s publishing and ownership rights to the group, depriving him of his rightful shares. Moore’s departure announcement on October 6 came just days after filing the suit. In his statement, Moore said he was stepping into a new season, citing a refreshed vision for his life and career. Naomi Raine, another founding member, also announced her exit in a separate social media post.Jonathan Jay Responds, Defending Maverick City MusicIn response to the growing controversy, Maverick City Music co-founder and CEO Jonathan Jay took to Instagram to address the allegations. “Over the years, I’ve made it a point to stay silent on things that don’t serve our mission and have chosen instead to speak through the music and the ministry,” Jay wrote. He emphasized that Maverick City’s purpose has always been to create “space for real, raw, redemptive worship that transcends culture and church walls.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maverick City Music (@maverickcitymusic)Jay strongly denied Moore’s claims, calling them “categorically false” and asserting that the dispute is a “calculated attempt to strong-arm a way out of agreements Chandler made freely and later breached.” He highlighted that the company’s dealings with Moore were “forthright, generous, and above reproach,” and welcomed a full investigation to validate Maverick City Music’s integrity. Jay’s statement underscored his commitment to the mission of the collective, which he said is “bigger than any one person.” Implications and Industry ReactionThis lawsuit sharpens internal tensions in the worship music collective, long celebrated for its communal ethos and genre-blending worship output. Should the claims hold, it could alter governance and royalty practices across not just Maverick City but Christian music at large. Observers are watching closely, as some see Moore’s allegations as symptomatic of bigger issues in artist-label relationships in worship music.Maverick City has posted an official response via social accounts, rejecting the allegations and promising “transparency” in its operations. The dispute may now play out in court, with questions of trust, authorship, and creative control looming large over both Moore’s future and Maverick City’s reputation.