MINNEAPOLIS (Court TV) — The mother of Daunte Wright’s son has filed a lawsuit against multiple individuals over funds from a donation campaign.
Chyna Whitaker filed the lawsuit Monday against Wright’s parents, Katie Bryant and Arbuey Wright, and prominent attorney Ben Crump and his law firm.
Wright was killed April 11, 2021, by former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter during a traffic stop. Potter was sentenced to two years in prison in February.
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The lawsuit claims Whitaker’s son, Daunte Wright Jr., is entitled to half of the funds raised in a GoFundMe campaign for “The Daunte Wright Sr. Memorial Fund.” According to court documents, Whitaker was assured by Crump that her son would receive half of approximately $1,039,260.00, but that has not happened.
The lawsuit claims the entire amount was handed to Wright Sr.’s parents, and ongoing donations continue to go directly to the pair.
Crump, who initially represented Whitaker and her son when Wright was killed, told her, “Chyna, you are going to receive at least 50% of the GoFundMe proceeds collected that my firm will help set up. Don’t worry we are going to make certain that you and your son are taken care of,” states the lawsuit. It continues, “Had Crump not made the above specific statement to Plaintiff, she would have separately set up her own GoFundMe account, which she had legal right to do.”
Whitaker also claims the defendants have “turned their backs on (Whitaker) and her infant son, the sole surviving heir of Daunte, Sr.”
In a statement to Court TV, a spokesperson for Ben Crump said:
“This is strictly a family dispute between the mother of Daunte Wright’s child and Daunte’s parents, who set up the GoFundMe account in question. Ben Crump Law never handled or controlled the money from this GoFundMe account, which was under the sole direction of Daunte’s parents. Ben Crump Law did not benefit from any of the funds raised, and we did not accept any fee in this case. Our hearts are always with the family, and we pray that they can find resolution.”
