Amy Helm, daughter of late The Band drummer and singer Levon Helm, is being sued by Levon Helm Studios in New York over allegations of financial mismanagement during her presidency from 2017 to 2026. The case alleges she caused around $2million (£1.48million) in damage, raising concerns about the studio’s finances, governance and the preservation of Levon Helm’s musical legacy.

The lawsuit claims Helm authorised self-dealing transactions, charged $400,000 (£295,734) in personal expenses to the studio and took a further $200,000 (£147,867) from Levon Helm’s estate. It also alleges trademark infringement involving the Midnight Ramble concert series and describes an alleged dispute at the studio; police reportedly attended but no charges were brought. Helm denies the allegations, calling them a publicity-driven attempt to smear her name and alleging extortion, while shareholder Brian Parillo denies her counter-allegations of elder abuse and financial exploitation.