MOSCOW, March 14 - RAPSI. Two U.S. companies have filed counterclaims against the Russian TV Service to recover compensation for Lady Gaga failing to perform at the MUZ-TV music awards, according to a statement of claim made available to the Russion Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com).

According to MUZ-TV, it planned to secure Lady Gaga's performance at the awards ceremony in June 2012 in Moscow. The channel first approached U.S. businessman George Sergeev who then connected the company with NWE Talent Agency & Management Company agent Ryan Burke, who served as the primary negotiator.

TV Services initially sued the NWE and Burke. Later, the plaintiff decided to add Sergeev, his World Media Alliance and Vision Entertainment Worldwide to the list of defendants.

In response, Burke, NWE and Vision Entertainment filed a counterclaim alleging that the Russian company breached its contract as it delegated its negotiation powers to them and undertook not to contact Lady Gagas producers directly. The company violated its obligations when the process was delayed, they believe.

TV Services maintains that it agreed with NWE that the latter would secure Lady Gaga's performance for the ceremony. MUZ-TV transferred the required amount to NWE's "escrow account." However, the defendant failed to secure Lady Gaga's appearance.

The plaintiff also asserts that NWE had never been in negotiations with Lady Gaga's managers. Although the plaintiff duly demanded to return the money, the defendants refused to do so.

Ultimately, TV Services filed a lawsuit with the U.S. court in Florida, seeking to return the funds, as well as to recover consequential damages.

Pursuant to the case documents, MUZ-TV transferred $1.65 million to the defendant -- $1.5 million were paid to NWE and $150,000 to Sergeev's World Media Alliance.