Judge Protected Muni Long From Medical Subpoena

Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn ruled that Muni Long's medical records remain private in her ongoing dispute with managers.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in R&B

Judge Protected Muni Long From Medical Subpoena

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Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn denied a request from Muni Long's former managers to access her medical records in an ongoing legal battle. The judge ruled that the singer's doctor-patient privilege was reinstated after she withdrew a counterclaim related to her mental health.

Why it matters

The ruling limits the scope of evidence available to former managers Chaka Zulu and Jeff Dixon as they pursue a defamation claim against the singer. It clarifies that medical records cannot be used to challenge public statements once the underlying health-related legal claims are dropped.

The legal dispute involves $600,000 in commission payments allegedly owed to managers. The court rejected the request to void medical privilege, noting the records were not essential evidence for the current defamation claims.

The players

Muni Long

Muni Long is a singer and songwriter who is currently involved in a legal dispute with her former management team over commission payments.

Sarah Netburn

Sarah Netburn is a Magistrate Judge who issued the ruling regarding the privacy of medical records in the legal case.

Chaka Zulu

Chaka Zulu is a manager who filed a lawsuit against Muni Long regarding allegedly unpaid commissions.

Jeff Dixon

Jeff Dixon is a manager who initiated legal action alongside Chaka Zulu against the singer.

The details

Managers Chaka Zulu and Jeff Dixon sought the medical records to contest claims that Muni Long was involuntarily committed at the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Behavioral Health Center in March 2024. While the judge blocked access to private treatment details, the ruling still allows the managers to pursue non-medical evidence regarding the circumstances of the singer's admission.

In March 2024, Muni Long was allegedly committed to a behavioral health facility.
In October 2025, Chaka Zulu and Jeff Dixon filed their initial lawsuit.
In January 2026, Muni Long filed a countersuit against her former managers.
In September 2026, the managers added a defamation claim to the litigation.
On October 8, 2026, Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn issued the ruling on medical records.

Industry Dynamics

This ruling highlights the challenges of balancing private health disclosures with public defamation claims in high-profile entertainment disputes. It follows a broader trend where legal teams attempt to leverage personal medical history to undermine the public narratives of artists.

While the ruling maintains the singer's privacy, it does not alter the ongoing nature of the lawsuit regarding commission payments. Fans should anticipate further proceedings as the managers pursue their defamation claim through non-medical evidence.

The takeaway

This ruling serves as a reminder that legal protections for medical history are often tethered to the specific claims brought before a court. Once an individual withdraws a health-related counterclaim, they can effectively block attempts by opposing parties to use their treatment history as evidence.