The publisher wants its money back through the two lawsuits filed Thursday.
After signing the deals, both women were imprisoned for several months. Lil' Kim went to prison in 2005 for lying about a shooting, and Brown in 2007 for violating probation arising from a fight with two manicurists.
Brown's attorney says she hasn't seen the lawsuit and can't comment. Lil' Kim's attorney didn't immediately return a call Thursday.