J Balvin’s Former Manager is Suing Him in Colombia for Half a Million Dollars

Without question, 2015 has been the year of the Balvin. But although the reggaeton game-changer has been on a pretty stellar streak –which we’ve been chronicling closely – not everything has been awards and smiles for the singer.

In fact, he’s currently facing a lawsuit in Medellin from former employee/manager Alex Gutiérrez Moreno, who is not only suing Balvin, but also Balvin’s manager/father Alvaro Osorio and their company Real Entertainment for approximately half a million dollars, according to El Espectador. Gutiérrez claims that he wasn’t compensated for the social security and health benefits, overtime or vacation days that full-time employees are supposed to receive in Colombia, according to the news outlet.

Gutiérrez also claims to have had an indefinite verbal contract with Real Entertainment and Balvin, which he says they tried to void by making him sign a contract as an independent contractor (in order to circumvent having to pay him benefits). The lawsuit is in process in Colombian court houses. When asked about it, Álvaro Osorio said Gutierrez’s claims are absurd, according to the same source.

Balvin himself has not issued a statement, but it came as a surprise to many – including Gutiérrez himself –when he mentioned Alex’s name during his acceptance speech at the Latin Grammys.