Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. is once again embroiled in a legal controversy, and this time RICO allegations are involved. According to the Miami Herald, Leonard Sulaymanov, owner of online retailer LenZo & Co, is alleging that Mayweather owes him nearly $4 million for a three-year-old luxury jewelry purchase.
On Friday, Sulaymanov filed a lawsuit in Miami federal court accusing the boxer of refusing to pay the balance on a 2021 deal for several luxury watches, a diamond necklace, and a ring. The jeweler claims he received $267,000 in two cash payments, with Mayweather still owing him $3,883,657.
In the suit, Sulaymanov states that though “he was told to put away his phone to ensure the transaction was private, [he] was able to discreetly film the meeting with another phone.” He is also alleging that Mayweather and his company, The Money Team (TMT), violated the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act, citing “fraud, civil conspiracy, breach of contract and civil theft.”
“Mayweather, TMT and possibly others have systematically created, participated and engaged in what can be described as a quasi-criminal, money laundering scheme involving high-end, rare and exclusive luxury watches and jewelry,” the suit states. “The Defendants, acting in concert and with other financially incentivized third parties, will purchase/acquire luxury watches by soliciting watch brokers, like Plaintiffs herein, and offering them upfront cash with payment terms in exchange for the purchase of watches and jewelry, with no intention of paying off the total balances.”
Rapper Tyga is also named as a defendant in the suit, with Sulaymanov claiming that he backed out after agreeing to purchase a $79,000 Rolex.
As previously reported by The Root, Mayweather recently became the focus of an in-ring controversy when he appeared to fire a referee in the middle of an exhibition match after they disagreed about a possible penalty.
Floyd is a boxing legend, but it feels like scandal follows him around wherever he goes.