Lawsuit Filed Against High-Profile Art Collector David Geffen by Former Spouse Over Alleged Contract Violation
In a shocking turn of events, Donovan Michaels, a 32-year-old former foster child, has filed a lawsuit against his estranged husband, media mogul David Geffen, accusing him of breach of contract, manipulation, emotional abuse, and financial exploitation.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, paints a picture of a relationship that mirrors the movie "Trading Places." Michaels met Geffen, an 82-year-old film producer and billionaire, in 2016 on the dating website SeekingArrangements.com. Their relationship, which continued without a prenuptial agreement, culminated in marriage in 2023.
However, the lawsuit alleges that Geffen used Michaels as a trophy in social circles while privately treating him as a sexual commodity and manipulating his vulnerabilities as a young gay Black man from the foster care system. Michaels claims that Geffen promised lifelong financial support but later evicted him, leaving him nearly broke and homeless after Geffen filed for divorce in May 2025.
Michaels' legal team is seeking court accountability for the promises made, compensation for the financial and emotional damage, and an accounting of joint property and income accumulated during their relationship. The lawsuit describes the emotional turmoil and systemic abuse Michaels endured, leaving him feeling worthless and abandoned after the relationship's abrupt end.
The case has gained public attention, with media reports and social media discussions fuelling its awareness. As of mid-2025, no information about a court resolution or settlement has been reported.
This is not the first legal dispute involving Geffen's art dealings. In February, entertainment mogul Justin Sun accused an employee of stealing an Alberto Giacometti sculpture from his collection and selling it as part of an elaborate fraud. Sun filed his suit in New York, where the sculpture is located, and Geffen responded with a countersuit in April.
Forbes reports that Geffen is worth $9 billion, and his art collection is valued at $2 billion, including works by postwar masters such as Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock. Geffen's legal representation, Patricia Glaser, has called the lawsuit "pathetic" and stated that there is no contract between them.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, Michaels' lawsuit portrays Geffen as an "exploiter" masquerading as a white knight, offering a "rag-to-riches" plot that ultimately left Michaels in financial ruin. The case continues to unfold, with the public eagerly following its developments.
- The art world has been abuzz with news of Donovan Michaels' lawsuit against his estranged husband David Geffen, accusing him of manipulation and financial exploitation, with some suggesting it echoes the narrative of the movie "Trading Places."
- A modern-day scandal has unfolded, as Michaels claims Geffen, a renowned collector of paintings and sculptures, promised lifelong financial support but later evicted him, leaving him nearly destitute.
- The entertainment industry has been rocked by another legal dispute involving Geffen, as entertainment mogul Justin Sun accused an employee of selling an Alberto Giacometti sculpture and filed a suit in New York.
- Geffen's lavish art collection, valued at $2 billion, includes works by postwar masters like Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock, raising questions about his financial practices and treatment of those around him.
- The ongoing legal battle between Michaels and Geffen has attracted the attention of celebrities and the public alike, with many viewing the lawsuit as a cautionary tale of the dangers of glamour and wealth, especially in the absence of a prenuptial agreement.
