Panic! at the Disco Lead Singer Sues Malibu Roommate

Panic! at the Disco lead singer Brendon Urie sued a former roommate today for allegedly taking nearly $130,000 from his checking account without permission.

Urie filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Shane Valdez. The suit alleges embezzlement, fraud and that Valdez put his interests above those of Urie. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

A representative for Valdez could not be immediately reached for comment.

Urie and Valdez lived together in Malibu and Las Vegas from 2008 until early 2010, the suit states. As Urie toured, he gave Valdez access to his checking account so he could pay their mutual bills, according to the complaint.

Urie, 27, discovered last November that Valdez took $127,000 from the account without the singer's consent, the suit alleges.

An attorney for Valdez admitted his client took the money, but claimed the funds were used to make a documentary about Urie's life and to compensate him for providing assistance to the singer, according to the suit, which says Valdez's alleged "explanation is ludicrous."

--City News Service