The Bamboozle festival was slated for a comeback earlier this month, right up until it was cancelled a week beforehand. Now both the festival and promoter John D'Esposito are being sued.
According to a report by NJ.com, a lawsuit was filed in New Jersey's Monmouth County Superior Court on May 4 against Bamboozle Festival LLC and D'Esposito by an executive named Anthony Martini. In the suit, Martini alleges he loaned four separate companies (and D'Esposito himself) a total of $500,000 to make Bamboozle happen, and was not warned of its cancellation. Or as Martini puts it, he "opened my social media one day to see it was canceled."
Martini further alleges that D'Esposito did not pay any of the money back by the time it was due, or any of the accumulated interest, resulting in a whopping $630,000 that Martini is currently missing. Martini is seeking that amount plus interest, costs, and fees in his lawsuit.
"I loaned the money," Martini said. "[D'Esposito] said he would pay me back. He's obviously in a not-so-great space. But I shouldn't be screwed over for trying to help him."
Bamboozle was cancelled on April 28 due to the festival's host city of Atlantic City refusing festival organizers their final permits.
"After extensive discussions, we have made the heartbreaking decision to cancel Bamboozle 2023," said festival organizers on Bamboozle's social media at the time. "An incredible amount of time, dedication, passion and hard work was invested into making this comeback a success. We appreciate everyone who supported this festival. Refunds should be requested at point of purchase."
Bamboozle has also been the subject of online controversy leading up to its now-cancelled existence. In a story by The Press Of Atlantic City, fans alleged that Bamboozle promotes over-promised to sell tickets and that Bamboozle festival founder John D'Esposito cyberbullied those who complained.
Bamboozle was set to take place between May 5 and 7 at Bader Field in Atlantic City, NJ. The festival's lineup included Limp Bizkit, Bad Omens, Finch, Papa Roach, and more.
