MIAMI – A former vice president has filed a lawsuit against The Pickleball Club claiming the company's chief financial officer sent a defamatory email to more than 160 shareholders in an attempt to silence his concerns about the company's alleged misrepresentations to investors.
Earl Takefman, a citizen of Canada residing in the U.S. as a permanent resident, filed a lawsuit in federal court against The Pickleball Club LLC and its co-founder and senior executive, Matthew Gordon, citing allegations of defamation.
According to court documents, Takefman, a former Vice President of Business Development at TPC, worked for the company from January 23, 2023, until his termination on July 10, 2023.
Takefman claims he was terminated from his position due to disagreements with TPC Chief Financial Officer Gordon over their relationship and concerns about inaccurate investor documentation. Takefman claims TPC executives, including Gordon, made false and exaggerated statements to attract investors, and after his termination, he communicated his concerns to shareholders about the company's viability.
In response, Matthew Gordon allegedly sent a defamatory email to 160 TPC shareholders, accusing Takefman of defamation and providing false information. Takefman contends that these actions were an attempt to silence him and prevent shareholders from learning about the alleged misrepresentations made by TPC executives. Takefman claims that this defamation has damaged his reputation within the industry.
Takefman, who is representing himself in this case, is seeking a judgment ordering TPC to retract the defamatory statements, along with damages in excess of $160,000 plus interest, court costs, attorney fees and other relief.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida case number 23-cv-24252