Floyd Mayweather Jr. Files Lawsuit Against Former Donor
Floyd Mayweather Jr., a five-time heavyweight boxing champion, is taking aim at Jonah Rechnitz, a former key donor to ex-Mayor Bill de Blasio, over an alleged $175 million fraud scheme involving hidden sales of jewelry and private jets.
The boxing star argues in a recent lawsuit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court that Rechnitz, who previously attempted to involve the NYPD in controversial activities, orchestrated a “multi-year scheme of fraud” that included real estate, jewelry, and Mayweather’s well-known Gulfstream jet, which bore his name.
“As the saying goes, the gloves are off,” said Mayweather’s attorney, Leo Jacobs. “This case is about recovering what rightfully belongs to our client.”
Rechnitz has had a longstanding relationship with Mayweather. While Mayweather reportedly earned around $1 billion throughout his career, his extravagant lifestyle has at times led to financial strains.
Legal documents reveal that Rechnitz took on the role of “de facto” manager for Mayweather’s investments, banking, and real estate assets in 2024. However, he allegedly betrayed that trust by misappropriating the boxer’s assets for his own and for other brokers.
Rechnitz, who pleaded guilty in 2016 for his involvement in a scandal that rocked the NYPD and was linked to prostitution, has a history of donating significantly to de Blasio, even referring to him as his “brother” in communications.
Mayweather’s lawsuit claims that Rechnitz concealed his criminal background, including a $17.7 million judgment against a former associate, Ayer Frist, who is also named in the lawsuit.
The boxer is seeking the return of his alleged $175 million in losses while outlining how the fraud unfolded. For instance, in July 2024, Rechnitz reportedly transferred $7.5 million from one of Mayweather’s companies to a Florida LLC owned by Frist, claiming it was a fictitious “12-month investment.”
A year later, the lawsuit asserts that Rechnitz took around $100 million worth of Mayweather’s jewelry to two dealers in Miami, intending to use it as collateral for a supposed $13 million loan.
Court documents indicate that one dealer warned Rechnitz and Mayweather in a text that he would “begin liquidating the merchandise” unless immediate payment was made. Rechnitz replied affirmatively.
Mayweather reflected on his unfortunate situation, stating, “I fought to get everything I had from my kids. It’s sad that someone would put me in a situation like this.”
In November 2025, Rechnitz allegedly pressed Mayweather to provide a bill of sale for the jet, but the buyer’s name was left blank, and Mayweather claims he never saw any proceeds from the sale. Instead, he alleges that the funds were diverted to obligations related to a Bugatti.
Other allegations in the lawsuit suggest Rechnitz directed his attorney to transfer a $15 million real estate settlement to a friend’s Florida shell company, and that he allegedly pocketed half of a questionable $16 million loan.
An email from January allegedly revealed Rechnitz’s intentions, indicating that Mayweather was meant to continue the scheme, with 20 percent of approximately $4 million from his real estate dealings going directly to Rechnitz.
