Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith is facing accusations of defrauding a Native American investment group out of $2.5 million in a solar farm deal. The lawsuit, filed in Delaware by Kituwah LLC, an investment arm of the Band of Cherokee Indians, alleges that Smith, his business partner David Mosley, and their company 413 Solutions, Inc. convinced Kituwah to loan the money for the "Project Exodus" solar farm.
Kituwah claims it has not received any returns on the investment, which is more than two years past its due date. According to the suit, the loaned funds were allegedly used to repay a separate company that had previously invested in the project. Kituwah is seeking at least $2.5 million in damages, plus interest, costs, and expenses.
The lawsuit asserts that Kituwah invested significant time, effort, and resources into the purported joint venture. "Not only has Kituwah not seen any returns on its investment, Kituwah has been forced to expend additional costs in efforts to reclaim the amounts it is still owed pursuant to its investment, including to investigate what happened to its money," the suit states.
Kituwah described the venture as "essentially, like a Ponzi scheme," alleging that "false projections and data" were presented to them before the loan was issued. The group also claims the loan was expected to be repaid within months. An investigation by Kituwah reportedly found that the money was transferred to Wilson Holdings, a company with which Smith and the other defendants have allegedly partnered on separate investments.
Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards, played most of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, winning three Super Bowls. He also holds the NFL records for career rushing touchdowns and rushing first downs. Images of Smith at a Fox Business Network interview and on the field are available, as well as one from a golf tournament. Additionally, an image related to the rising cost of streaming NFL games is available.