Daryl Hall accuses John Oates of “ultimate partnership betrayal”
Daryl Hall has levelled accusations against his Hall & Oates bandmate and partner, John Oates, accusing him of committing “ultimate partnership betrayal” in a recent court filing.
This filing bolsters his Nashville chancery court case regarding an alleged breach of their business partnership. Hall described Oates’ plan to sell his half of the Whole Oats Enterprises to Primary Wave stake as something that happened “completely behind my back”, stating: “I am deeply troubled by the deterioration of my relationship with, and trust in, John Oates.”
In his declaration, Hall also asserted that he and Oates were in the process of mediation to possibly dissolve or disentangle Whole Oates Enterprises, a step Hall referred to as a “global divorce.”
As reported by the Associated Press, Oates said that he was disappointed in Hall’s “inflammatory, outlandish, and inaccurate statements about me,” arguing that he had been trying to enhance their business partnership.
“While falsely contending over the last several months that the Oates Trust wanted to maintain ownership in WOE, John Oates and the Co-Trustees engaged in the ultimate partnership betrayal,” Hall said in the declaration. “They surreptitiously sought to sell half of the WOE assets without obtaining my written approval.”
The suit that Hall filed earlier in the month was related to “contract/debt”, according to court records. The details of much of the case are undisclosed as it was filed under seal; however, available information indicates that Hall’s legal team claimed Oates potentially breached a confidentiality agreement by disclosing the duo’s business dealings in Oates’ letter of intention to sell to Primary Wave.
Hall also filed a restraining order against Oates, which was granted on November 17th after a $50,000 restraining bond was obtained. Summonses were subsequently issued to Oates and his co-trustees, Aimee Oates and Richard Flynn, following which a province motion was filed, indicating a request for an out-of-state attorney to join the case.
A hearing has been scheduled for November 30th, 2023.
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