Wealthy Couple Sued After Son Allegedly Stabs Teen Guest at LA Mansion Party
A lawsuit claims a gambling dispute at a party hosted by hedge fund manager Mario Govic and his wife Ann Marie escalated to violence, leaving a 17-year-old guest with a stab wound to the hand.
A wealthy couple, hedge fund manager Mario Govic and his wife Ann Marie, are facing a lawsuit alleging that a party they hosted for their son and his friends at their Los Angeles mansion concluded with one teenage guest being stabbed. The incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute over gambling debts incurred during the party in 2024.
According to the lawsuit, the gathering at the Govics' $30 million Brentwood home involved teenage guests, including their son Jack, participating in card games for money. One of the guests, 17-year-old Noah Setareh, allegedly used his wristwatch as collateral for a gambling debt.
When Setareh requested his watch back, Jack Govic reportedly refused, demanding that the debt be settled first. The lawsuit claims that the argument intensified, leading Jack to produce a butterfly knife and stab Setareh in the hand. "Without warning, Jack produced a butterfly knife and lunged the blade directly at the plaintiff," the lawsuit states, as cited by the New York Post. "The blade struck the plaintiff’s dominant right hand penetrating his palm and pinkie finger causing an open wound."
Multiple witnesses allegedly observed the altercation. Mario Govic reportedly intervened and instructed his son to return the watch to the injured guest. Setareh required immediate medical attention and has been left with a visible scar.
The lawsuit further alleges that the parents were aware of the gambling activities taking place in their home and the circumstances surrounding them, including the wagers being placed and Jack Govic holding the watch as security. "The parent defendants knew that the minors gathered in their home were gambling and knew of the circumstances surrounding the gambling, including that money was being wagered and that Jack was holding the watch," court documents cited by the NYP state.
Setareh is seeking damages for physical pain, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life as a result of the incident. Mario Govic is identified as the founder and president of Govic Capital, a private wealth management firm based in Florida. He previously worked in finance on Wall Street and with MetLife. Both Mario and Ann Marie Govic are reportedly originally from Croatia.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Los Angeles Superior Court for further information regarding the lawsuit.