Flo Rida ordered to pay up in Australian legal battle

Rapper Flo Rida has been ordered to pay $432,704 to the organisers of an Australian music festival after he allegedly failed to show up.

The hip-hop star was reportedly given a $55,000 advance to secure his performance at the Fat as Butter music festival last October (11), but he reportedly scrapped his appearance at the last minute over transport problems.

Festival bosses filed a lawsuit against the rapper - real name Tramar Dillard - and promoters were forced to serve him with documents via social networking website Facebook.com after failing to make contact with the star.

A judge at New South Wales District Court has now ordered Flo Rida and his Australian agent, Darren Ayre, to hand over around $432,704 in damages and legal fees, while they have also been asked to reimburse them for travel expenses, including air fares and hospitality costs, according to Australian website Theherald.com.au.

Judge Judith Gibson told the court, "The no-show by Flo Rida damaged the trading reputation of the plaintiff, impacting its ability to stage future events, attract patrons and compete with rivals in the music event industry. Sponsors were lost as news of the no-show spread far and wide through the use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.''

The rapper was not in court to hear the ruling.