Part 6/10:
Publicly, the pandemic relief was meant as a lifeline for struggling venues, small artists, and independent businesses hit hard by lockdown restrictions. However, the investigation indicates that these funds were exploited by well-funded musicians with ample resources already at their disposal.
Industry and Government Oversight Concerns
This scandal raises alarm about the efficacy and oversight of government aid programs designed to stabilize the arts and entertainment sectors during crises. The fact that wealthy artists and label owners could access these funds with little scrutiny exposes the flaws in the program’s vetting process.