For most fans, Calvin Harris is the chart-topping DJ with hit songs, a glamorous lifestyle, and a new baby at home.
But behind the scenes, the 41-year-old star is embroiled in a bitter financial dispute — accusing his longtime advisor of siphoning off millions of dollars meant for a flashy Hollywood project.
$22.5 Million Gone Missing
According to documents filed at the Superior Court of California, Harris — real name Adam Richard Wiles — claims his former financial advisor, Thomas St. John, and his associates “systematically” took advantage of him.
The Scottish DJ alleges he was persuaded to invest a staggering $22.5 million into the CMNTY Culture Campus, a planned real estate development in California that was supposed to include recording studios, lounges for artists, and office space.
Harris’ lawyers say the investment was split into a $10 million loan and a $12.5 million equity stake.
But instead of seeing progress, they claim millions were redirected to entities controlled by St. John, leaving Harris with nothing to show for his money.
A Project That Stalled Before It Began
The filing accuses St. John of hiding his real intentions, pushing Harris to sign “materially misleading” DocuSign forms without giving full context.
The star’s legal team argues the entire project has been, in their words, “at best, a complete boondoggle, and at worst, a complete fraud.”
Despite Harris’ significant investment, no construction has even started.
Last year, plans quietly shifted away from music-focused spaces to residential housing, a change that Harris says he was never consulted about.
St. John Pushes Back
Thomas St. John’s attorneys deny any wrongdoing. They insist Harris actively pursued the project and is just unhappy with delays caused by rising interest rates and a difficult real estate market.
They claim the project remains viable, now reimagined as two residential towers with 750 apartments, 90 of which will be reserved as low-income units.
When finished, they say the development could be worth over $900 million.
Harris Still Waiting for Answers
Harris’ lawyers, however, argue that his $10 million loan was supposed to be repaid by January 31, 2025. Both the loan and interest remain unpaid.
They also allege that whenever Harris requested details about his investment, he was met with vague or even contradictory responses.
The star parted ways with St. John in April of this year, ending a 13-year professional relationship.
Personal Joy Amid Legal Turmoil
The legal battle comes at a time of major personal change for Harris.
Just two months ago, he and his wife, radio host Vick Hope, welcomed their first child — a baby boy named Micah — after a home water birth at their property in Ibiza.
Harris proudly announced Micah’s arrival on Instagram, sharing touching family photos, though one candid shot of the placenta-turned-pills sparked plenty of online chatter.
What Comes Next
For now, Harris is preparing to fight it out in arbitration, determined to recover the millions he claims were mishandled.
As his attorneys put it, he has yet to see a single penny returned from an investment he now views as a financial nightmare.