Legendary rapper Jay-Z is leading an exodus of celebrity clients, including Megan Thee Stallion, from accounting firm BDO following serious allegations that a member of its staff stole from client accounts.
Vanessa Rodriguez, a former senior client services representative, is alleged to have misappropriated millions of dollars from BDO accounts belonging rapper Fat Joe, according to a civil lawsuit he filed in 2022.
Rodriguez, who was last month indicted on four counts of Fraud in Miami, allegedly was so brazen that she used the ATM located in BDOs building to obtain cash advances... and to pay her childs school tuition.
The Financial Times reported that Jay-Z and Megan Thee Stallion are among several stars to have cut ties with the accounting firms Miami branch, which manages the personal and business finances of the rich and famous, as a result of Rodriguezs alleged activities.
Rodriguez told the FT that she denied the 2022 accusations, and pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges filed against her. Further details of her criminal case, including the names of two alleged victims, have been kept under seal.
Fat Joe, whose real name is Joseph Antonio Cartagena, alleged in his civil lawsuit that BDOs management of his money, which was meant to be handled by partner Andre Chammas, was so chaotic that his mortgage payments were often late and that his credit card bills were sometimes paid from accounts belonging to other BDO clients including Major League Baseball players.
Jay-Z is said to have led the exodus of celebrities from the client book of BDO
Megan Thee Stallion also left the accounting firm following the scandal
Fat Joe (pictured) alleged that a BDO employee misappropriated millions of his dollars
BDOs Miami branch is said to be haemorrhaging clients
But he also alleged that BDO was complicit in Chammas and Rodriguezs alleged activity, claiming they employed a different strategy: stonewall and delay.
The bottom line is that, by executing and reaping the benefits of their money-making scheme, BDO and Chammas have committed malpractice and professional negligence, breached the fiduciary duties they owe to Plaintiffs, misappropriated millions of dollars, defrauded Plaintiffs, and been unjustly enriched. Rodriguez has also committed conversion and been unjustly enriched, the 2022 suit reads.
Jay-Zs staff were reportedly furious with the accusations BDO, Chammas and Rodriguez faced, with sources telling the FT that they felt the accounting firm was overly defensive and failed to quickly provide Fat Joe with full access to his financial affairs, said people familiar with the matter and his 2022 lawsuit.
The Brooklyn-born rapper left in 2023, within months of Fat Joe leaving.
Megan Thee Stallion, a fellow Roc Nation star, also left as a client in 2022.
A spokesperson for BDO told MailOnline: BDO USA does not comment on pending litigation or matters related to current or former clients.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Jay-Z and Megan Thee Stallion for comment.
MailOnline was unable to contact Vanessa Rodriguez for comment.