Journey’s ongoing legal troubles between Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain are heating up.
Cain has recently filed new papers accusing Schon of not sticking to a mediated agreement meant to resolve their financial disputes. Schon had earlier said he agreed to Cain’s request for a third-party mediator to help manage their touring business, Freedom 2020. But Cain now claims Schon is trying to limit the mediator’s role.
“It became apparent that Mr. Schon is attempting to backtrack on his agreement for the Court to appoint a custodian to serve as a third, deadlock breaking director of Freedom 2020, Inc., and is now seeking to inappropriately limit the role of the custodian. This is inconsistent with Respondent’s counsel’s prior communications with the Court and Discovery Facilitator Joseph Slights explicitly agreeing to the appointment of a third, deadlock breaking director,” the case file read.
Cain’s lawyer, Kasey H. DeSantis, says Schon’s actions go against their previous court agreements. Cain had sued Schon, saying he was overspending and causing financial problems on their tour with Def Leppard and Steve Miller. Cain claimed Schon was wasting up to $10,000 a night. The case was fast-tracked, and Joseph Slights was appointed as a mediator on August 7.
Even with Schon accusing Cain of creating a ‘toxic work environment,’ they reached a tentative agreement on August 22. Cain is now asking the judge to approve the original deal.
In the middle of this, Schon took to Facebook to announce his plan to move forward without canceling more shows. He admitted that he and Cain don’t always agree but said he wants to focus on the tour and the fans.
The legal troubles have already led to the cancellation of Journey’s fall 2024 tour in the U.K. and Ireland, including a show in Cardiff, Wales, set for October 30. Cain’s lawsuit claims Schon’s spending is causing problems for the band, creating tension, and leading to crew departures. Schon has defended his spending as approved and dismissed fan concerns about the costs.
After the lawsuit, frontman Arnel Pineda posted a video showing the band members, except Cain, traveling together. It’s unclear when or if the band will work out their issues and get back on track.