Dr. Dre’s estranged wife, Nicole Young, is under investigation for embezzlement of funds from the hip-hop mogul’s company, according to a report by TMZ .
The investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department was opened after Larry Chatman, Dre’s business partner, alleged that the rapper’s estranged wife made six-figure withdrawals from the business account for their company, Record One LLC. Young’s divorce lawyer had previously stated Young was listed as a signatory and trustee, and had the right to withdraw the money.
In the police report, Chatman listed an amount of $385,029 that was allegedly embezzled by the rapper’s wife. In August, lawyers for Record One had written a letter to her legal team alleging she had stolen $353,571.85 by writing a check to herself. The letter accused Young of “blatant and unjustifiable criminal embezzlement of corporate funds.” Demands from Dre and Chatman for Young to return the money were instead met with dismissal by her lawyers, labeling the letter as a “smear attempt.” The aforementioned withdrawal launched an official investigation from law enforcement.
As reported by The Inquisitr , Dre’s wife filed for divorce in June 2020, after being with him for 24 years. Afterward, her lawyers filed paperwork that challenged the couple’s existing prenuptial agreement. Young claimed that she had signed the prenup in 1996 under duress, and that both her and Dre considered it null.
Young filed for $2 million in monthly spousal support, an additional $1.5 million to pay for security, and an accelerated $5 million in order to pay for her current legal fees. A judge denied the requests, citing that she had already let go of her security team prior to the hearing.
Laura Wasser, Dre’s lawyer, asserted he was already footing the bill for the divorce; he had paid for her legal fees thus far and would continue to do so, as well as concede to paying for Young’s new security, as long as they did not cost more than what Dre had previously been paying. Dre also cited her AMEX bill, which was reported to be at an average of $350,000 per month, as one of the ways he continued to support her financially despite the separation. Her reps also alleged that she had been a victim of domestic violence, both physical and mental at the hands of her husband, but so far had not presented evidence to support the claim.
If charged with embezzlement by the LAPD, Young could face prison time.