A real estate investor and broker from Hawaii are taking legal action against Shohei Ohtani, a star player for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The lawsuit alleges that Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, forced them out of a $240 million luxury housing project on the Big Island’s prestigious Hapuna Coast, which they had initially involved Ohtani to promote.
The complaint, filed in Hawaii’s Circuit Court, claims that Balelo made increasing demands on the developer, Kevin J. Hayes Sr., and broker, Tomoko Matsumoto, ultimately leading to their removal from the project by their partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital. The lawsuit suggests that Ohtani and Balelo took advantage of their celebrity status to disrupt and dismantle the plaintiffs’ role in the project for their own financial gain.
The lawsuit accuses Ohtani and Balelo of wrongful interference and unjust enrichment. Hayes, who has nearly 40 years of experience in development, and Matsumoto, who was set to be the listing agent for homes averaging $17.3 million, claim that their interests in another nearby project were also undermined.
A representative for Balelo’s agency, CAA Baseball, declined to comment when contacted. Attempts to reach Kingsbarn Realty for their take on the situation were unsuccessful. The lawsuit emphasizes that its intent is to reveal the alleged misconduct of the defendants and to ensure that everyone, regardless of fame, is held accountable for their actions.
Ohtani, who became an American baseball sensation after arriving from Japan in 2018, has achieved multiple accolades, including five All-Star selections and three MVP awards. He recently signed a historic 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers and contributed to the team’s victory in the recent World Series.
The lawsuit underscores a lack of integrity in business practices, claiming that Balelo’s demands became increasingly unreasonable and disruptive. It cites an incident where Kingsbarn chose to prioritize its relationship with Ohtani over its contractual obligations to Hayes and Matsumoto.
As the case unfolds, it highlights essential values of fairness and accountability in business, reminding everyone that celebrity status should not serve as a shield against taking responsibility for one’s actions. The plaintiffs are seeking justice and appropriate compensation for their losses connected to the project they worked so hard to develop.
