An attorney who sued St. Louis rap star Nelly on behalf of former St. Lunatics member Ali Jones has been ordered to pay more than $67,000 in legal fees after a federal judge imposed sanctions.
According to Billboard and court filings obtained by Music Business Worldwide, a judge ruled on May 28 that attorney Precious Fielder must reimburse Nelly $67,586 for fees incurred while defending the lawsuit.
Jones filed the federal suit in September 2024, claiming Nelly misled the group about credit and royalties for eight tracks on his solo debut “Country Grammar.” The case originally sought $50 million and listed three other St. Lunatics members— who quickly withdrew and said they never authorized the filing. Jones later moved to voluntarily dismiss the case in April 2025.
Nelly’s attorneys argued the claims were “time-barred, preempted, or otherwise frivolous,” and a federal magistrate judge found the allegations “without merit,” according to an October 2025 ruling.