'Shark Tank' star Kevin O'Leary claims his image was 'stolen' after he, Kevin Harrington are sued for fraud
O'Leary tells Fox Business his rights have been violated
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"Shark Tank" stars Kevin O'Leary and Kevin Harrington are being accused of fraud, leading O'Leary to believe his image and likeness have been stolen.
20 entrepreneurs around the country filed a lawsuit claiming the two business investors scammed them by allegedly using "fictional executives, false promises of financial success, and even illusions of being on the show ‘Shark Tank’ itself," a filing obtained by Entertainment Tonight claims.
The suit accuses the stars of running a "predatory fraud scheme to induce investors and entrepreneurs to hire one of two companies, InventureX or Ideazon," the outlet reports, citing legal documents.
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Kevin O'Leary has been on ‘Shark Tank’ since 2009. (REUTERS/Mike Blake)
The lawsuit claims Harrington is a "partner and primary executive of InventureX," while O'Leary is claimed to have "endorsed and recommended" both companies.
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The plaintiffs allege that they were guaranteed help with "crowd funding to start their business" if they invested in the companies, according to the report.
The entrepreneurs even question if the companies actually exist.
However, O'Leary appeared just as confused by the lawsuit, telling Fox Business in a statement through his attorneys on Thursday: "It appears that someone has been using my name and likeness without my knowledge, permission, or consent. I’ve never heard of any of these purported companies and have never conducted business with any of the plaintiffs who filed this suit. Obviously, I want to get to the bottom of it too, as my rights have been violated. We will make sure that the bad actors are held accountable."
However, the plaintiff's attorney, Tre Lovell of The Lovell Firm, claimed the statements mentioned in the lawsuit came "directly" from O'Leary.
"The statements of Mr. O'Leary came directly from videos where he discusses both InventureX and Ideazon, and specifically endorses principals of each company, by name," Lovell said in a statement to Fox Business. "The transcriptions of each video are in the complaint."
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Robert Herjavec, Kevin Harrington, Daymond John, Kevin O'Leary and Barbara Corcoran of ‘Shark Tank.’ ( Craig Sjodin/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
O'Leary is a familiar face on "Shark Tank," having been on the show since 2009. Harrington, meanwhile, appeared on the show's first two seasons.
"It has come to our attention that Kevin Harrington has been accused of various false allegations regarding a recent lawsuit. Kevin has been a proponent of entrepreneurs globally. Kevin never had any business arrangement or contract with any of the Plaintiffs," a rep for Harrington told Fox Business on Thursday.
"This should be a dispute between the Plaintiffs and InventureX. Kevin simply did a video for this Company. Kevin has never owned any piece of the Company nor served any executive role within the Company. Kevin is disturbed by the accusations and has been taken advantage of as a businessman. Kevin intends to pursue each and every person accountable and will defend the allegations contained in this complaint vigorously."