L
os Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, are being sued by investor Kevin Hayes and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto over allegations they sabotaged a $240 million luxury residential development in Hawaii. The lawsuit claims that Ohtani and Balelo launched an "unlawful scheme" to interfere with the project at Mauna Kea Resort on the Big Island.

    According to the complaint, Balelo inserted himself into the relationship between Hayes, Matsumoto, and their business partner Kingsbarn Realty Capital, making increasingly demanding concessions before forcing them out of the deal they had spent 11 years developing. The suit alleges that Ohtani's agent exploited his celebrity status for financial gain, destabilizing the project and ultimately dismantling Hayes' and Matsumoto's role in it.

    Ohtani was involved with the project as an endorser, committing to buy a $17 million home at the development, which was marketed as "The Vista" community. The lawsuit claims that Ohtani's involvement was solely for promotional value, and that he had no legitimate interest in the project. Kingsbarn has denied the allegations, calling them "completely frivolous and without merit."