According to The Nu-Metal Agenda, Slipknot are currently being sued by the estate of their late drummer Joey Jordison. The complaint, which was filed by Steamroller LLC on June 8th 2023, claimed the band held on to Jordison's personal belongings and made money off of them.

The suit named vocalist Corey Taylor and percussionist Michael Shawn Crahan (aka Clown) as defendants. Slipknot LLC, Slipknot Inc., and Knot Productions LLC were mentioned as well. An amended version of the suit from August 2023 also included the following causes of action: Breach of Contract, Fraud and Deceit, Negligent Misrepresentation, Unjust Enrichment, Conversion, and Accounting.

The case stems from a 2015 deal that was signed by Jordison and the band amid his firing. It stated that his personal belongings would be given back to him. However, his estate claims the band were being deceitful and did not follow through with the agreement. The complaint said the following:

“On information and belief, Defendants entered into the Release Agreement with no intention of performing their obligation to return all of Jordison’s belongings to him. Defendants misrepresented their intent to return all of Jordison’s items and misrepresented what items belonging to Jordison were in their possession. After execution of the Release Agreement, Defendants proceeded to return some of Jordison’s belongings in an effort to conceal the fact that they were withholding numerous other items belonging to Jordison and required to be returned under the Release Agreement.”

They also shared evidence which shows that the band used some of the items in their Knotfest museum. That decision resulted in them allegedly profiting from Jordison's belongings. The suit also claimed the estate was unaware of the use of the items until they were alerted by fans. A clip of Crahan “smelling Jordison’s jacket and telling a crowd of fans that it ‘smells like Joey wore it yesterday’” can be seen below at the 5:54 mark:

The estate also claimed that Slipknot lied about the items being donated:

The complaint went on to say that the estate identified 26 items from fans and asked for them to be returned. The band allegedly "agreed to honor the Release Agreement by returning all of Jordison’s belongings in their possession, but this too turned out to be a lie.” The following was added:

“Defendants returned only four of the 26 items, and two other jumpsuits that were not even on the list because Plaintiff had no way of knowing they were in Defendants’ possession."

The estate is seeking to have the items returned and compensatory and punitive damages:

Slipknot fired back by filing a demurrer, claiming the statute of limitations has already passed. They also claim that there was a lack of sufficient evidence. The group also filed motions to get parts of the lawsuit scrapped. This includes references about how Taylor and Clown "heartlessly sought to profit off of Jordison’s death" and "publicly lied to fans that they had contacted Jordison’s family to check on them and express their condolences and love for Jordison in the wake of his passing."

According to a minute order from a hearing on the demurrer, a judge has since ruled that the actions listed in the complaint were considered timely. However, the court believed the allegations of fraud and deceit and negligent misrepresentation were not backed by sufficient facts and that the alleged harm was covered by other causes of action. The judge also struck down allegations of the band using Jordison’s death to market their latest album, “The End, So Far,” and details regarding his firing. The ruling said the following:

“These three portions of the first amended complaint are irrelevant. This action is about whether defendants failed to give Jordison’s property back to him. The circumstances surrounding Jordison’s illness and death and whether defendants were “callous” to him are not pertinent to any cause of action. These allegations are inflammatory and scandalous.”

The defense have since filed a formal answer to the complaint as well. In it, they denied all wrongdoing. They are also seeking to have the plaintiffs receive nothing for damages or the items in question:

The next hearing is scheduled for January 19. It is unclear if a settlement could occur before trial. It is also unknown why they case seemingly flew under the radar for so long.