Wayne Gretzky is taking legal action against his former business partner, Veera Mahajan, claiming she filed a meritless lawsuit against him in 2022 in an attempt to score a quick payday. The NHL legend has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County this week, seeking damages after Mahajan’s initial lawsuit was dismissed earlier this year.
In 2022, Mahajan sued Gretzky over his alleged role in the collapse of a weight loss gum business called “OMG.” According to Mahajan’s original lawsuit, she had invested in the company after Gretzky claimed he had lost 35 pounds in a few weeks from chewing the gum. Mahajan accused Gretzky of lying about the weight loss and argued that his false claims contributed to the company’s downfall. She filed the lawsuit alleging fraud and sought unspecified damages.
However, Gretzky vigorously fought the allegations, maintaining that he never lied about his weight loss claims and that he was not responsible for the business’s failure. In 2024, Mahajan sought to dismiss her own lawsuit, with Gretzky asserting that the case was frivolous from the start and that she only filed it hoping to force a settlement, potentially to avoid negative publicity.
Now, Gretzky is suing Mahajan for malicious prosecution, claiming that her legal actions were without merit and aimed solely at extorting money from him. He is seeking unspecified damages in his counterclaim, believing Mahajan’s lawsuit was merely a ploy to get a financial payout.
Legal Battles Over “OMG” Continue
This isn’t the first time the “OMG” business has caused Gretzky legal headaches. Just days before Mahajan filed her lawsuit, the company’s founder, Steven Sparks, also sued Gretzky, making similar allegations about his involvement in the business’s collapse. That lawsuit is still ongoing, further complicating the situation for the hockey legend.
Both Gretzky and his wife, Janet Jones Gretzky, who was a spokesperson for the “OMG” product, have kept their personal comments about the legal disputes to themselves, refusing to address the ongoing courtroom drama publicly.
The Impact of Public Lawsuits on Gretzky’s Reputation
For Gretzky, the legal troubles surrounding “OMG” are far from over. Despite the dismissals and the lawsuits being filed against him, Gretzky is standing firm in defending his reputation and his business practices. The lawsuit filed this week highlights how Gretzky intends to fight back against what he calls baseless accusations.
Fans of the hockey icon may wonder what the long-term impact of these lawsuits will have on his legacy. As one of the most celebrated athletes in history, Gretzky’s name continues to be linked to both the world of sports and various business ventures. Whether this ongoing legal battle will affect his public image remains to be seen.
Malicious Prosecution: A Legal Strategy
Gretzky’s decision to file for malicious prosecution is significant in the legal world. Malicious prosecution occurs when a legal action is initiated with no probable cause and with the intent to harass or extort. By suing for malicious prosecution, Gretzky is asserting that Mahajan’s legal actions were not only unwarranted but were designed to harm his reputation and force him into a financial settlement.
Whether or not this lawsuit will succeed remains uncertain, but it underscores the lengths to which Gretzky is willing to go to defend himself and clear his name from the unfounded allegations made against him.
