NFL all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith has been accused of defrauding an investor in a Texas solar energy project out of $2.5 million, according to a legal filing.
A lawsuit submitted Monday in Delaware's Chancery Court alleges the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back and his business partners used funds borrowed from a Native American group to pay off a separate creditor – a tactic the complaint describes as "essentially, like a Ponzi scheme."
Kituwah LLC, the investment arm of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, claims it has "not recovered a penny" of the 2023 loan since its due date on Feb. 1, 2024. The plaintiff says it received a "steady stream of lies" from Smith, business partner David Mosley, and their company, 4 13 Solutions Inc., after investing in the planned Project Exodus solar farm.
The suit alleges fraudulent inducement, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract, seeking at least $2.5 million plus interest, legal fees, expenses, and trial-determined damages. Attempts to reach Smith and the other defendants for comment were unsuccessful.