Financial Advisor Accused of Stealing from Fitness Influencer
The husband of Telemundo star Aleida Ortiz is facing accusations of stealing a staggering $1.6 million from a well-known Latino fitness influencer, as outlined in a recent lawsuit.
Ricardo Casanova, who has been married to Ortiz for the last eight years, is alleged to have misappropriated funds from Alejandro Chaban, a Venezuelan-born entrepreneur and wellness advocate. Chaban has filed a civil theft lawsuit seeking $4.8 million in damages.
The lawsuit, submitted to a Miami federal court on July 30, claims that Casanova acted as a financial consultant for Chaban starting in 2017, during which time he gained access to the corporate bank accounts and financial documentation.
The complaint further alleges that from 2017 to 2024, Casanova unlawfully transferred and withdrew company funds without authorization, under the guise of excessive compensation that exceeded previously agreed amounts.
Chaban’s attorney, Miranda Soto, indicated that the allegations fall under the Florida Civil Theft Act. She stated, “Mr. Casanova systematically took out funds that he had not qualified since 2017 until he was discovered in 2024. He violated the trust placed in him and his fiduciary duties to Mr. Chaban and his company. This lawsuit aims to safeguard not just Mr. Chaban’s company, but also his employees, partners, and investors.”
The legal dispute has garnered considerable attention in both US and Latin American media, largely due to Chaban’s image as a respected figure in wellness and Ortiz’s popularity as a television host. Interestingly, Ortiz, who won a prominent beauty pageant in 2014 and was a runner-up for Miss Universe Puerto Rico that same year, has yet to publicly respond to the lawsuit.
Chaban, 43, is well-recognized in the Hispanic community for his incredible journey from an overweight child to a notable fitness advocate. He hosts several television programs and has authored best-selling books, including “Thinking Skinny, Feeling Fit: Seven Steps to Changing Your Emotional Weight and Living a Great Life.”
Additionally, he is the founder of a nutrition and wellness brand, “Yes, I Can!”, based in Miami. Chaban’s public persona promotes health and wellness, targeting the Latino population both domestically and internationally.
