PlayUp Faces $100 Million Lawsuit Over Alleged Forgery and Smear Campaign

Gaming enterprise PlayUp is confronting grave allegations from its previous chief executive, Laila Mintas. Mintas asserts that PlayUp fabricated documents and manipulated proof in a legal dispute between them. She is seeking $100 million in compensation.

The legal action claims that PlayUp falsified dates on Australian government papers and forged other documents to deceive the court. Mintas also accuses PlayUp of initiating a smear campaign against her.

The lawsuit specifically implicates PlayUp’s chief executive, Daniel Simic, as being involved in the alleged forgery. It asserts that Simic backdated filings with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, making it appear as though they were signed earlier than they actually were.

The legal action additionally claims that PlayUp, including its leadership, board members, and legal counsel, “fabricated and tampered with other documents” during the investigative process.

Beyond these accusations, Mintas accuses PlayUp and Simic of dishonesty in sworn statements submitted to the court and hiding crucial evidence that would contradict their claims against Mintas.

Consequently, the lawsuit argues that PlayUp and Simic have been “misleading the court.”

**”Personal Grudge” Utilizing PlayUp Resources**
Moreover, the revised legal action makes vivid accusations about the nature of Simic’s motivations.

According to the lawsuit, Simic is using PlayUp’s financial resources to pursue a personal vendetta against Mintas, thereby harming the interests of investors. This is allegedly because the former US CEO “acted as a person who brings wrongdoing to light rather than accepting [Simic]’s offer to participate in his plan for $25 million.”

This refers to a prior incident where Simic allegedly offered Mintas a $25 million bonus to participate in a bid to acquire FTX, which would have incorporated PlayChip (another company owned by board members and Simic) into the company.

The lawsuit alleges that Mintas had previously warned of potential conflicts of interest and the legality of the PlayChip agreement.

**Campaign to Tarnish Mintas’ Reputation**
The lawsuit also alleges that PlayUp and Simic have launched a campaign to threaten Mintas and damage her standing.

The legal action cites a message Simic sent to FTX on December 30, 2021, where he asserted that Mintas had made contractual requests “on the verge of the proposed deal” that would “boost FTX’s responsibility.”

The legal action claims that this occurred after Simic and other leaders had agreed to extend Mintas’ contract terms months earlier.

The legal action also points to another event where Simic told PlayUp shareholder and advisor Ross Benson that Mintas “coerced another gaming industry executive and took agreements from the company.”

According to the legal action, these “unfounded claims” are not supported by any proof.

“Simic is utilizing his baseless claims to harm Dr. Mintas’ standing in the industry,” the legal action states.

PlayUp’s Alleged Bullying Tactics
The legal action also claims that PlayUp and Simic engaged in bullying tactics against Mintas.

As proof, it highlights a message sent to Mintas’ legal representative in January 2022, following the reversal of a restraining order against the former CEO in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada. The message stated:

“Just a reminder, although Judge Navarro ruled today, the restraining order issued by Justice Jagot of the Federal Court of Australia remains fully in effect. We expect Dr. Mintas to comply with the restrictions of that order.”

The legal action claims that this injunction was irrelevant and did not apply to Mintas, as she was not subject to Australian jurisdiction.

The agreement governing Mintas’s employment also specifies Nevada as the designated jurisdiction for resolving any disputes between the parties.

The lawsuit has been broadened to include Play Ltd., PlayUp’s parent company based in Australia. This action follows a series of setbacks encountered by PlayUp’s US operations, including delayed compensation for employees, the withdrawal of its New Jersey license, and the cessation of activities in two states. Sources indicate that PlayUp’s US workforce did not receive their salaries from June 16th to 30th. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) attributed the license revocation to PlayUp’s failure to promptly investigate a player’s fraud claims. PlayUp users have also reported difficulties in withdrawing funds. Sources confirm that PlayUp has now disbursed wages to its former US employees for the period between June 16th and 30th, but the payment of severance and paid time off (PTO) remains uncertain.

The Australian company has been included in the legal action by Mintas.

According to sources, the expansion of the lawsuit is a direct consequence of the recent challenges faced by PlayUp’s US operations.

These challenges include delayed wages for PlayUp’s US employees, who did not receive their paychecks from June 16th to 30th, the revocation of the company’s New Jersey license, and the closure of operations in two states where the company previously operated.

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) stated in its revocation letter that one of the reasons for revoking the operator’s license was PlayUp’s claim to be investigating a player’s fraud allegations who was requesting a withdrawal.

However, the company failed to inform the DGE and could not provide an explanation for the delay in the investigation. This occurs amidst unconfirmed rumors of PlayUp users experiencing difficulties in withdrawing funds in some instances.

Sources indicate that PlayUp has now paid its former US employees for the period between June 16th and 30th. Employees were informed that severance and paid time off (PTO) will be addressed at a later date, but there is no clear timeline for when this will occur.

It is rumored that Simic is concerned about reports concerning PlayUp’s struggles, as these reports could endanger the pending agreement to sell the company to an unidentified American operator. However, Simic has reassured key individuals that the transaction is still in progress.

Third Time’s the Charm?
Despite whispers that PlayUp’s license has been withdrawn, its departure from the market implies the company has little to offer.

This agreement with the unnamed American operator is PlayUp’s third attempt to sell its US operations. Previously, the company tried to go public on the Nasdaq through a special purpose acquisition company, IG Acquisition Corp., but ultimately failed.

The legal action claims that the deal fell apart because PlayUp failed to provide the necessary financial documents by the required deadline. The operator has also not yet submitted its 2022 financial report, despite it being overdue.

Limited Ties to FTX
Simic has repeatedly blamed the collapse of the business on the downfall of FTX. Sources dispute this, claiming that the two had limited financial involvement. Only one transaction was successful, where PlayUp received a $35 million senior convertible bond after the acquisition failed.

Earlier this month, Simic told the Australian Financial Review that the terms of the bond prevented the company from raising more than $10 million. According to Simic, this was due to a provision in the bond that would increase FTX’s stake in the Australian business.

Nevertheless, an insider with knowledge of the situation has stated that this claim is inaccurate, though they were unable to provide any tangible proof due to the confidential nature of the agreement’s stipulations.

If the terms of the agreement are valid, it remains unclear how this would be implemented in reality, considering the cryptocurrency exchange’s demise in November of 2022.

**Subsequent Actions in the Legal Dispute**

All necessary documents have been presented to the judicial body, and both parties are anticipating a verdict from the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.

PlayUp’s current legal representatives are merely the most recent team of attorneys the company has engaged in this case. Previously, the company’s law firm, Zumpano Patricios Popok & Helsten, imposed a lien on PlayUp for outstanding fees.

Although a trial date has not been established, sources suggest a resolution is expected within this year. It is also feasible that a trial could be averted and the matter resolved through a settlement outside of court proceedings.

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