Daymond John Sues Partners Over Millions

It seems a major deal struck during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant legal battle. Daymond John, the well-known investor from “Shark Tank,” is suing his former business partners, claiming they owe him a substantial sum – reportedly “at least tens of millions of dollars.”

A Lucrative PPE Deal Gone Sour

The situation revolves around a deal John brokered at the start of the pandemic through his consulting firm, The Shark Group. With personal protective equipment (PPE) in extremely high demand, John brought in product-sourcing experts Lisa Kornman Avila and Rashmi Budhram. Their mission was to supply essential items like N95 masks, goggles, and isolation gowns to government agencies, including those in California, New York City, and Michigan.

John had been collaborating with Avila and Budhram since 2014 via their company, Buko LLC, which focused on design, development, and product management. Under their agreement, Buko LLC was tasked with obtaining the PPE. John was set to receive a referral commission of 20% of the total revenue and one-third of the net profits from these deals, which were described as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for Buko LLC.

Allegations of Withheld Commissions

The lawsuit, filed on April 3, 2026, alleges that Avila and Budhram have absconded with millions in commissions owed to John. The complaint states that the pair secured and fulfilled multiple orders worth hundreds of millions of dollars, yet John has not received his agreed-upon share.

For example, the complaint details a California order from April 17, 2020, for 20 million Level 2 isolation gowns, priced at $8.95 each. John was reportedly assured he would receive his referral fee once funds were processed. Subsequent orders from California, including one for 100 million isolation gowns, resulted in payments totaling over $133 million and an additional $12.9 million, according to reports.

To date, defendants have refused to pay any money to Shark, despite securing multiple orders worth hundreds of millions of dollars from [the California Department of General Services] and other entities due to Shark’s efforts. — Lawsuit Complaint

Restructuring and Concealment Claims

The lawsuit further alleges that Buko LLC has undergone several restructurings and is now operating under the name 5 Time Zones LLC. John’s complaint frames this as a deliberate attempt by Avila and Budhram to conceal earnings and position themselves as “judgment-proof,” making it difficult for John to recover the funds he believes he is owed.

Avila and Budhram have approximately three weeks to formally respond to the complaint. This legal action highlights the complex financial dealings that can arise from high-stakes business ventures, especially during times of crisis.