Category Archives: Cadence Lawsuit

Cadence Comic Art Lawsuit Settlement Revealed

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Cadence Comic Art

In August 2025, Becky Cloonan, David Marquez, Wesley Craig, Paolo Villanelli, Leila Leiz, Alessandro Cappuccio, Danai Christina Kilaidoni, Elena Casagrande, Valerio Schiti, Mahmud Anjum Asrar, Joelle Jones, Yildiray Cinar, Rafael Albuquerque, Tyler Crook, Jenny Frison, Pia Guerra, and Jill Thompson filed a lawsuit against Cadence Comic Art and Paolo Belfiore over what the claim of “egregious misconduct.” In early December, attorneys asked for an adjournment until mid-January 2026 as the parties were meeting in an attempt to settle the lawsuit without the need for a trial and in January an agreement was reached. As long as the agreement was followed, no trial would follow.

Now, in a new court filing, we know the details of that settlement:

  • Defendants agree to provide the sum of Five Hundred Fifty Thousand U.S. Dollars ($550,000.00).
  • Payment of the Settlement Consideration shall be in equal monthly payments of Three Hundred and Fifty U.S. Dollars ($350.00) due on the first of each calendar month, in perpetuity, until the entire Settlement Consideration is paid in full. Larger payments may be made, and any amount shall be credited accordingly.
  • As long as the payments are made, there’ll be no interest but if a payment is failed to be made, the Settlement Consideration shall accrue an interest rate of 9% per annum, calculated retroactively from January 1, 2024 until the outstanding amount is paid in full.
  • There’ll be no further expenses for the Defendents as long as they make timely payments.
  • There are no admissions of any kind by the Plaintiffs or Defendents.
  • There’s a Non-Disparagement clause.

You can check out all of the official documents with more details of the settlement below:

Breaking: Cadence Comic Art Lawsuit Has Been Settled and asks for Dismissal

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Cadence Comic Art

In August 2025, Becky Cloonan, David Marquez, Wesley Craig, Paolo Villanelli, Leila Leiz, Alessandro Cappuccio, Danai Christina Kilaidoni, Elena Casagrande, Valerio Schiti, Mahmud Anjum Asrar, Joelle Jones, Yildiray Cinar, Rafael Albuquerque, Tyler Crook, Jenny Frison, Pia Guerra, and Jill Thompson filed a lawsuit against Cadence Comic Art and Paolo Belfiore over what they claim is “egregious misconduct.”

In early December, attorneys asked for an adjournment until mid-January 2026 as the parties were meeting in an attempt to settle the lawsuit without the need for a trial. That hearing was supposed to take place tomorrow, January 14.

Now, the court has been informed that the parties have come to an agreement and settled and have asked for the case to be dismissed with the ability to reopen the case if the settlement falls apart. The plaintiffs have until February 12, 2026 to reopen the case as per the proposed order filed with the court.

Updated: Cadence Comic Art Court Case asked for Adjournment Until January 2026

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Cadence Comic Art

In November, the lawyer for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Cadence Comic Art and Paolo Belfiore asked the court for an extension of time and adjournment. With a hearing set for December 9, the lawyer has again asked for an adjournment until mid-January 2026.

In August 2025, Becky Cloonan, David Marquez, Wesley Craig, Paolo Villanelli, Leila Leiz, Alessandro Cappuccio, Danai Christina Kilaidoni, Elena Casagrande, Valerio Schiti, Mahmud Anjum Asrar, Joelle Jones, Yildiray Cinar, Rafael Albuquerque, Tyler Crook, Jenny Frison, Pia Guerra, and Jill Thompson filed a lawsuit against Cadence Comic Art and Belfiore over what they claim is “egregious misconduct.”

The parties involved have been meeting in an attempt to settle the lawsuit without the need for a trial.

The Parties are still in the process of discussing a potential settlement and have commenced informal exchange of information to facilitate the same. Progress was made but additional time is required to complete this exchange of information and work out settlement terms.

Update: The request has been granted with the pretrial conference now set for January 14, 2026 at 11am.

Extension of Time and Adjournment Requested in Cadence Comic Art Case as Settlement Discussions Continue

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In August, 17 artists filed a lawsuit against Cadence Comic Art and Paolo Belfiore over “egregious misconduct.” They’re accused of defrauding the plaintiffs out of money. The plaintiffs include Becky Cloonan, David Marquez, Wesley Craig, Paolo Villanelli, Leila Leiz, Alessandro Cappuccio, Danai Christina Kilaidoni, Elena Casagrande, Valerio Schiti, Mahmud Anjum Asrar, Joelle Jones, Yildiray Cinar, Rafael Albuquerque, Tyler Crook, Jenny Frison, Pia Guerra, and Jill Thompson.

While the case is still in the early stages, a letter was sent to the judge presiding over the case, Hon. Jennifer L. Rochon, asking for an extension of time and adjournment.

The parties involved have been meeting to discuss a potential settlement and progress was made. The “Parties have agreed to an informal exchange of information and discussed potential settlement structures. Additional time is required to complete this exchange of information and work on settlement terms. “

The parties were required by the court to submit an order of a plan for the case, things like the timeline proposed, by November 14. The lawyer for the plaintiffs have asked that be extended to December 8. An Initial Pre-Trial Conference was scheduled for November 18 and that is being asked to now take place December 9, 10, 11, or 12.

Court orders a Civil Case Management Plan in the Cadence Comic Art Lawsuit

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In August, 17 comic artists filed a lawsuit against Paolo Belfiore and Cadence Comic Art. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of “egregious misconduct” and defrauding the plaintiffs out of money. Cadence Comic Art is/was a popular site to purchase original comic art.

Last week, the case against Belfiore and Cadence Comic Art was laid out by lawyers and this week the court has come back asking for a Civil Case Management Plan.

A Civil Case Management Plan is a roadmap that outlines the procedures, deadlines, and milestones for a lawsuit. It’s goal is to try to make the civil case efficient and run smooth.

The Civil Case Management Plan is due November 14, 2025.

Case Laid Out Against Paolo Belfiore and Cadence Comic Art in Latest Court Filing

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In August, 17 comic artists filed a lawsuit against Paolo Belfiore and Cadence Comic Art. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of “egregious misconduct” and defrauding the plaintiffs out of money. Cadence Comic Art is/was a popular site to purchase original comic art.

The plaintiffs include Becky Cloonan, David Marquez, Wesley Craig, Paolo Villanelli, Leila Leiz, Alessandro Cappuccio, Danai Christina Kilaidoni, Elena Casagrande, Valerio Schiti, Mahmud Anjum Asrar, Joelle Jones, Yildiray Cinar, Rafael Albuquerque, Tyler Crook, Jenny Frison, Pia Guerra, and Jill Thompson, and they are being represented by Adwar Ivko.

The original 15 page complaint laid out the accusations the amount in dispute being over $473,000 and that the defendants collected over $236,253 in commissions for their services with this going back to 2008.

Judge Rochon directed the parties to file a joint letter addressing, among other things, the nature of the action, proposed deadlines, and other required information, in the above captioned case.

The letter is interesting, but more interesting is the exhibit submitted that highlights communication issues on Belfiore’s end, something that has come up before.

The letter summarizes what Belfiore and Cadence Comic Art are accused of and you can read that and the exhibit submitted below.

Paolo Belfiore and Cadence Comic Art Respond to Allegations of Theft and Fraud with “Lacks Sufficient Knowledge or Information”

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In August, 17 artists filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against Cadence Comic Art and Paolo Belfiore claiming “egregious misconduct” by the two. They accuse Cadence Comic Art and Belfiore of defrauding the plaintiffs regarding the sale of original art and are owed over $473,000 as well as refusing to return art still in his possession.

Belfiore has responded to the allegations and complaint with a two page document. He’s appearing “pro se” currently, meaning he’s representing himself.

Belfiore asked for an extension to respond in early September saying he needed more time to respond and wasn’t able to contact the plaintiff’s counsel. The plaintiff’s counsel responded not long after that Belfiore had been in contact with them and the reason he gave was he was seeking representation.

  • Belfiore doesn’t dispute and admits the allegations 4-24 and 26-27 in the complaint.
  • Belfiore says he “lacks sufficient knowledge or information to admit or deny the allegations” in paragraphs 1-3, 25, and 28-79 of the complaint.

That might all sound odd but when you look at the original allegations it’s a bit clearer.

Belfiore admits he has done business with the individuals which is paragraphs 4-24 and that he lives in New York and the court has jurisdiction which is paragraphs 26-27.

All of the other paragraphs are the accusations of fraud, his violating New York State law, and much more.

None of this is an odd response and a basic challenge to the accusations forcing the accusers to continue to pursue the case.

Artist’s Lawyer Responds to Paolo Belfiore’s Extension Request In Cadence Comic Art Lawsuit

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Cadence Comic Art

In early August, 17 artists filed a lawsuit against Paolo Belfiore and Cadence Comic Art. The lawsuit claimed “egregious misconduct” by Belfiore and Cadence Comic Art accusing them of defrauding the plaintiffs out of money and seeking damages in excess of $473,000 plus more. A summons was issued on August 13 to Belfiore and Cadence Comic Art. Belfiore has submitted a letter to the court asking for a 30-day extension to respond to the complaint. In the letter, Belfiore says he was served with the complaint on August 16 and there’s a current deadline to respond is September 9, 2025 and asking for an extension to October 9.

In his letter to the court, Belfiore states he “yet been able to contact the plaintiff’s counsel regarding their position on this request.”

While the lawyer for the artists has no issue with the extension, there is an issue with Belfiore’s letter. They dispute that Belfiore hasn’t been in contact with them. In a letter submitted by the lawyers, there’s correspondence between them where they say they have no issue with the extension and Belfiore states the reason is he’s seeking representation.

A rather odd start to the lawsuit.

Paolo Belfiore Asks for an Extension to Respond to the Lawsuit Against Him and Cadence Comic Art

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Cadence Comic Art

In early August, 17 artists filed a lawsuit against Paolo Belfiore and Cadence Comic Art. The lawsuit claimed “egregious misconduct” by Belfiore and Cadence Comic Art accusing them of defrauding the plaintiffs out of money and seeking damages in excess of $473,000 plus more. A summons was issued on August 13 to Belfiore and Cadence Comic Art.

Belfiore has submitted a letter to the court asking for a 30-day extension to respond to the complaint. In the letter, Belfiore says he was served with the complaint on August 16 and there’s a current deadline to respond is September 9, 2025.

Belfiore is asking for an extension until October 9 to prepare the response.

17 Artists File a Lawsuit against Cadence Comic Art and Paolo Belfiore

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Cadence Comic Art

2025 might go down as the year for comic related lawsuits. A lawsuit on behalf of 17 artists was initially filed on August 7 in the Southern District of New York against Cadence Comic Art and Paolo Belfiore.

The lawsuit is over “egregious misconduct” by Cadence Comic Art and Belfiore accusing them of defrauding the plaintiffs out of money. Cadence Comic Art is/was a popular site to purchase original comic art. In full disclosure, I’ve purchased comic art from the site, an original piece by Jenny Frison, one of the plaintiffs, about twelve years ago, and some of the complaints sound similar to that purchasing experience.

The plaintiffs include Becky Cloonan, David Marquez, Wesley Craig, Paolo Villanelli, Leila Leiz, Alessandro Cappuccio, Danai Christina Kilaidoni, Elena Casagrande, Valerio Schiti, Mahmud Anjum Asrar, Joelle Jones, Yildiray Cinar, Rafael Albuquerque, Tyler Crook, Jenny Frison, Pia Guerra, and Jill Thompson, and they are being represented by Adwar Ivko.

The 15 page complaint accuses Cadence Comic Art with Belfiore of breaching their fiduciary duties by not providing accurate and regular account statements, commingling funds, and neglecting to safeguard their work from loss, damage or theft. They claim financial harm and that the actions violate ACAL. N.Y. Arts & Cultural Affairs law (ACAL) is that when an artist consigns a work of art to a merchant, proceeds from the sale are considered property held in a statutory trust which prevents it from becoming property of the art merchant’s creditors.

The initial filing states the amount in dispute is over $473,000 and that the defendants collected over $236,253 in commissions for their services with this going back to 2008. There was also “secret sales and secret transfers” which were failed to be reported. In addition, unsold consigned artwork and inventory records weren’t returned.

Further accusations include holding over 49 pieces of art which had not been sold and refusing to return the items even after being sent a formal demand from the artist’s lawyer that also included a cease and desist from further representing the artists. A demand was sent to the defendant on September 10, 2024 and they never responded with a follow up on November 8, 2024 with no response.

They are asking the court to take action to return the art, get an accounting of all sales, transfers, or other disposition of the art, and for damages in excess of $473,000.

After some initial filing issues by the attorney for the artists, things are getting rolling with a summons issued to Belfiore and Cadence Comic Art on August 13, 2025.

Cloonan v. Cadence Comic Art Inc is being overseen by Judge Jennifer L. Rochon. A pre-trial conference is currently set for November 18.