Amy Helm Sues to Reclaim Levon Helm Studios Leadership

Amy Helm filed a lawsuit in Ulster County on October 16 challenging the corporate actions that placed Brian Parillo in control of Levon Helm Studios, and seeking to regain leadership of the Woodstock concert business. The complaint asks the state Supreme Court to reinstate Helm as president and a director, remove Parillo from management and grant other relief. It also challenges Parillo’s authority to have the studio sue her in federal court. The court has not ruled on the claims. Helm alleges that the written consents used to change the studio’s leadership were invalid. According to her complaint, she did not sign them, no shareholder meeting took place, and the company’s governing documents required written approval from all shareholders for actions taken without a meeting. The ownership is divided among Helm and her stepmother, Sandra Helm, who each hold 40 percent, and Parillo and former manager Barbara O’Brien, who each hold 10 percent. The complaint says Parillo claims voting assignments from Sandra Helm and O’Brien, giving him control of 60 percent of the votes despite owning 10 percent of the shares. Helm further alleges that Parillo improperly obtained Sandra Helm’s...