Is Mary J. Blige's Foundation FAWNM Being Sued?

Mary  J. Blige photo credit: ContactMusic

It seems that Mary J. Blige's Foundation For The Advancement Of Women Now (FFAWN) is experiencing a bit of legal and financial trouble. Apparently, the foundation is being sued by a bank for a bank loan granted last, year. 

TMZ reports,

Mary J. Blige's charity is more TAKE than give ... this according to a bank which claims it lent the foundation $250,000 ... but only got $400 back. 

TMZ has learned ... the Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now is being sued by TD Bank over a $250k loan it took out back in June 2011. 

According to a suit filed earlier this month in New York, the foundation agreed to pay the money back by December 2011, but when the time came to collect ... the org. had only put a $368.33 dent into the principal. 

The bank claims it has demanded payment in writing on February 7 and 29, but hasn't heard back from the foundation. 

This lawsuit isn't the only troubles with which the foundation is dealing. It didn't file a federal tax return for 2010 .. so says the NY Post, and it's also being sued by musicians from a 2011 fundraising gala who claim when it came time for payment they were stiffed. 

A rep for Blige tells TMZ, "The Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation For The Advancement Of Women Now, Inc. (FFAWN) is presently transitioning its management and headquarters."

The rep adds, "We remain committed to our mandate of helping  women gain the confidence and skills necessary to reach their full individual potential."

It is always unfortunate to be caught up in any sort of legal situation; and even more unfortunate to be in debt to the IRS. There definitely seems to be some type of shady goings on within this foundation. Unfortunately, the founders are usually the last to know. Hopefully, Mary J. Blige and Steve Stout will replace conduct a full blown investigation and replace their board accordingly. Good luck to the both of them. 

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Mary J. Blige Sings "The National Anthem" At The Kentucky Derby

Mary J. Blige Sings The National Anthem photo credit: Necole Bitchie

The Queen of Hip Hop, Mary J. Blige performed, " The National Anthem" at Kentucky's legendary, "Kentucky Derby".  Mary looked fabulous as usual in the red ensemble. This is a great another great milestone for Mary J. as it has been denoted that initially the idea of her bringing soul in a performance of the national anthem did not set well with the Kentucky Derby fanbase. 

According to NecoleBitchie,

Mary J Blige brought some soul to Churchhill Downs this year as she sang the ‘National Anthem’ at The Kentucky Derby, however it wasn’t smoothing sailing leading up to the event. Folks were livid when it was first announced that she would be singing at the ‘The Derby’ and the local news lines were flooded with calls andcomplaints.  For the most part, fans of the event feared that Mary might jazz up the song too much, however, a rep from the Kentucky Derby brushed off their complaints with a statement that read:

‘We’ve hosted the Derby for 137 years, we’re quick to find out that you can’t please everybody all the time but Mary J. Blige is a very exciting and talented individual that we can’t wait to host on Derby day’.

Check out Mary J's performance below.