Pacquiao Files Lawsuit Against Law Firm Over Allegedly Fabricated Extortion Case
Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has launched a legal counterattack, filing a lawsuit in Los Angeles against a prominent law firm and their client for allegedly fabricating a false case against him. The lawsuit centers on claims that the defendants falsely accused Pacquiao of conducting a terror campaign and concealed evidence proving the entire matter was an extortion ruse.
The Original Case and Its Dismissal
In 2016, Gabriel Rueda, a waiter at the celebrity hotspot Craig's restaurant in West Hollywood, sued Pacquiao. Rueda claimed he was owed an $8 million fee for connecting Pacquiao's coach with then-CBS president Leslie Moonves to arrange the blockbuster May 2015 fight against Floyd Mayweather. He alleged that Pacquiao reneged on the deal and terrorized him by sending gruesome texts of dismembered bodies and slashing his tires, demanding $42 million in damages.
However, the case was thrown out last year, with the judge finding no evidence to support Rueda's allegations. This dismissal paved the way for Pacquiao's retaliatory legal action.
Bombshell Email Uncovered
Pacquiao's lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, reveals a critical email allegedly written by Rueda just days after initiating his case. In the email, Rueda purportedly admitted his entire claim was baseless, stating, Gabriel did it from his heart and asked for nothing in return. No finders fee, no compensation.
This message never surfaced during the original proceedings, despite a 2018 court order requiring Rueda to turn over his communications. It was only uncovered in 2023 through a forensic analysis conducted by Pacquiao's legal team.
Allegations of Fabricated Evidence
Pacquiao's lawyers assert that the threatening texts of body parts were traced back to a mass-distributed cartel scam. Records cited in the new lawsuit indicate that identical threats were sent to over 100 other individuals unconnected to the case, suggesting a coordinated effort to fabricate evidence.
Following the loss of the case, the law firm Withers Bergman attempted to withdraw as Rueda's representation, and attorney Amman Khan's profile was removed from the firm's website, adding to the controversy.
Pacquiao's Upcoming Fights and Rematch
Amid this legal battle, Pacquiao is preparing for a stunning rematch with Floyd Mayweather, set for September in Las Vegas. This bout will be the first-ever boxing match at 'The Sphere' and will be globally broadcast on Netflix, marking the streamer's growing investment in live sports.
Before the rematch, Mayweather, 49, is scheduled to face Mike Tyson, 59, in an exhibition bout this spring, though details remain unconfirmed. Meanwhile, Pacquiao, 47, has a warm-up fight against Ruslan Provodnikov on April 18, nearly a year after his draw with then-WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios.
This legal development highlights the ongoing challenges Pacquiao faces outside the ring, as he seeks justice against what he claims are fabricated allegations designed to extort millions from his career earnings.
