Dan Bilzerian is Suing His Dad, Cannabis Biz Over Name, Image, & Likeness Misuse
Poker private game high roller Dan Bilzerian has filed a lawsuit against his dad, Paul Bilzerian, over an "unlawful removal" from a cannabis company he co-founded, Ignite International Brands, Ltd.
The elder Bilzerian is currently facing federal felony fraud charges for allegedly using Ignite to funnel money hidden from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from a 1990s eight-figure civil lawsuit. Paul Bilzerian, federal investigators claim, secretly controlled Ignite, and the poker playing son doesn't seem to dispute those claims, court documents indicate.
What's the Lawsuit All About?
Dan Bilzerian filed a lawsuit earlier this month in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada against Ignite, Paul Bilzerian, and two other co-defendants. The controversial social media figure claims he was "unlawfully pushed out of Ignite through a series of unlawful acts" by his father, Scott Rohleder, and Ignite CEO Rupy Dhadwar, the individuals he's suing.
The complaint alleges that Dan Bilzerian, CEO of Ignite until December 2023, was never directly involved in the company's operations and was merely a figurehead. He claims he was involved in a dispute with Ignite shareholders who later turned out to be his father's agents over the quality of Ignite's products and leadership.
Bilzerian says the behind-the-scenes leadership caused harm to the business and that he was threatened by Rohleder and others within the company that he would be fired as CEO. He was terminated days later, but he claims he had told the board they could no longer use his name and likeness to promote products.
Rohleder and Paul Bilzerian then purported to remove the former GGPoker ambassador from his position of chairman of the board on June 2, 2024 without the necessary 67% shareholder vote to remove a director.
Dan Bilzerian, known for making repeated antisemitic and misogynistic comments, took issue with his father and former company continuing to use his name, image, and likeness (NIL) without his permission, according to a 19-page complaint.
The poker player did not approve of Ignite continuing to use his likeness following his father's September indictment on fraud charges. On Nov. 4, he "demanded that Ignite cease and desist from using his name and likeness and otherwise exploiting his intellectual property rights, to no avail."
Dhadwar, according to the lawsuit, refused the demands and continued to "unlawfully exploit (Bilzerian's) name and likeness and refused to remove it from Ignite's marketing materials." Dan Bilzerian has since started a separate business and accuses the defendants of engaging in a "smear campaign" against him to potential suppliers.
Bilzerian is seeking punitive damages, but the amount will be determined at trial. He seeks financial relief on nine claims, including copyright infringement and deceptive trade practices.
Paul Bilzerian, 74, a former corporate takeover specialist, is a convicted felon who spent time in prison in the late 1980s for conspiracy and nine securities-related counts. He then lost a civil suit against the SEC, which he has never paid, and now owes in excess of $180 million.
The co-defendants in the pending Ignite civil case were summoned on Nov. 21 and are required to answer the summons within 21 of receipt or a default judgment will be entered. Paul Bilzerian, however, does not reside in the US and instead lives in St. Kitts in the Caribbean.
Here's the Evidence the Feds Have Against Paul Bilzerian
