Lee Daniels has been hit with yet another lawsuit, and this time, it’s from the Screen Actors Guild.
Variety reports that the labor union is suing the Empire co-creator for failing to pay $335,000 in residuals to the cast and crew of his 2005 movie, Shadowboxer.
The residual battle has been going on for nearly five years. In 2011, an arbitration decision ruled that Daniels must pay the missing funds to the union to cover residuals, health and pension contributions and late fees. Daniels reportedly failed to do so, and yesterday, the SAG-AFTRA filed a federal lawsuit against the filmmaker.
Lee Daniels Expected to Pay Sean Penn’s Legal Fees
“California law provides for a four year statute of limitations for the confirmation of arbitration awards,” the union said in their complaint. “As attempts to enforce the arbitration award were unsuccessful, the union filed this action to reserve all rights to obtain payment.”
Union officials say that attempts to contact Daniels have been unsuccessful. Earlier this year, actor Sean Penn filed a $10 million defamation lawsuit against Daniels. That lawsuit is still pending.