Shaquille O'Neal Served Legal Papers In Cryptocurrency Class-Action Lawsuit Alleging Fraudulent Scheme Involving A-List Celebrities


Photo: Instagram/Shaquille O'Neal

Retired NBA star Shaquille O'Neal has been served with legal papers in connection to a class-action lawsuit against the now-defunct cryptocurrency firm FTX.

The lawsuit alleges that several celebrities, including O'Neal, were involved in promoting a fraudulent scheme involving the sale of Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs.

It is claimed that Yuga Labs, the company behind the NFTs, used insidious marketing and promotional activities from A-list celebrities who were given hidden payoffs.

Photo: Instagram/Shaquille O'Neal proves he's more than just a basketball icon with his success in both investments and entrepreneurial ventures.

O'Neal, along with Kevin Hart, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Stephen Curry, was named in the initial filing in December 2022.

Attorneys have been trying to serve O'Neal for the past three months, claiming that he has been "hiding" from them. However, he was recently served with the papers "outside his house" on Sunday. 

O'Neal will now be required to appear in federal court to explain his involvement in the false advertising campaign for FTX, created by FTX Advertising Agency 'Dentsu McGarrybowen' and FTX Global Partnership Agency 'Wasserman.'

The case against O'Neal is being handled by The Moskowitz Law Firm, and the attorneys claim that he has either hidden or driven away from servers when approached. A judge even reportedly denied their attempts to serve him electronically. 

O'Neal has several partnerships and appears frequently in commercials for brands like Icy Hot, Papa John's, and The General Insurance, and is a co-host on Turner Broadcasting's Inside the NBA and has a podcast as well.

Despite being a highly visible celebrity, O'Neal has been difficult to track down. He recently underwent hip replacement surgery and was hospitalized, but he still appeared in a commercial that debuted during the summer of 2022.

The commercial features him taking on the moniker of "Shaqtoshi" and remains on the bankrupt cryptocurrency company's Twitter account as of this writing.

O'Neal responded to the situation in November, saying that he "was just a paid spokesperson for a commercial." As of right now, it is unclear when he will have to appear in court.

Read Next: Sacramento Kings' Domantas Sabonis Undergoes Medical Assessment After Controversial Incident With Draymond Green

Source: Cinema Blend


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