Former New Orleans Saints running back and Lynwood native Pierre Thomas has filed a lawsuit against an athletic training company, alleging he was misled into investing $200,000 in a potential West Loop location that never came to be.
The lawsuit was filed Monday in Cook County Circuit Court against Tennessee-based D1 Sports Holdings, which operates more than 50 athletic training facilities across the country.
“On or about May 1, 2014, Thomas entered into a certain agreement with D1 Tennessee to acquire a 20% interest in D1 Chicago,” the suit stated.
Thomas alleges he paid $200,000 upfront for the stake in the company, which was planning to open a location at 1380 W. Randolph, but “the solicitations and representations were false and misleading.”
“The facility never opened and, to the best knowledge and belief of [Thomas], D1 Chicago owns no property and has not commenced any business,” the suit stated.
Thomas has asked D1 to refund him several times, but the company has refused, the suit said.
A representative from D1 did not respond to a request for comment Monday evening.
The two-count suit alleges fraud and is asking the court to award Thomas’ reimbursement.
