Some of the speculation is there is a rift over money, while Jon Bon Jovi hinted in a recent interview that it had to do with alcohol. Now Gossip site Hollyscoop have published a report based on an "insider" and unnamed sources that claim Richie is feuding with Jon because of Jon's ego. They report:

The insider revealed, "Jon Bon Jovi had his ego hit hard when daughter Stephanie overdosed on heroin on November 14, 2012 in her college dorm. Since then Jon has been distraught and even angrier to business associates and friends. Jon said point-blank to Richie's face, 'I thought an overdose would have come from a daughter of yours, not mine.'"

It was this low-blow comment from Jon to Richie that basically ended whatever relationship they DID have. Sources say that since Jon's daughter's overdose, Jon has gotten even angrier and more cruel to Richie. Richie has always maintained that his exit was for "private reasons" that he would not go into. [the unnamed source[s] say] that this "private matter" was actually Jon's belittling.

"Richie just went quietly and played for 20 plus shows that ended in late February, but when he had to return on April 2 for the next leg, Richie decided he wasn't being paid enough to go through with all the cruelty from Jon," adds the source.

Our sources even think that Jon's recent jab at Justin Bieber was a hidden passive-aggressive dig at Richie for ditching the band.