Two Separate Lawsuits are Both Seeking Millions From Tony Finau

Tony Finau, who has won five PGA Tour events in just over two years and six times overall, has racked up over $37 million in winnings as a pro golfer.

But two individuals have filed suit against the 33-year-old, saying that they are owed millions for bankrolling Finau when he was a teenager in Salt Lake City.

According to a report in the Deseret News, a local news outlet in Utah, there are two separate lawsuits filed against Finau, along with his brother (Gipper), and father (Kelepi). Molonai Hola, a former business associate, filed suit in September 2020, whereas David Hunter, a Utah County businessman, took legal action in May 2021.

Multiple lawsuits seeking millions continue to hound Utah golfer Tony Finau, family

Story by @drewjay https://t.co/Y9OeuigLAN

— Deseret News Sports (@desnewssports) August 30, 2023

The two plaintiffs are not working together, but they both allege that they provided loans and other work and services from 2006 to ’09, which total $1.1 million.

The two are also each seeking up to 20% of Finau’s career earnings.

The report says that each individual has produced contracts that they believe entitle them to the money. Each cites dealings with Finau’s father during the time period in question when both Finau and his brother were teenagers.

Hunter’s suit was originally dismissed in November 2021 due to a statute of limitations claim, but an appeal filed by his attorneys was successful this past June. Oral arguments on the case began last week.

Finau’s attorneys say that he should not be held liable because he did not sign the contract and was a minor at the time. A representative for Finau didn’t provide many more details to the Deseret News.

“We have to just let the process run its course. We are obviously very comfortable with the position where he sits. … He does not feel like he needs to defend himself. … We will set the record straight (in court),” Chris Armstrong, Finau’s manager, told the news outlet.

Two separate lawsuits against Tony Finau are still crawling through the courts, where two different investors are suing Finau, his brother, and his father seeking:

• Repayment for loans they claim to have given to the family from 2006-2009; and

• 20% of Tony’s career earnings… pic.twitter.com/4GFbPtGFEN

— John Nucci (@JNucci23) August 30, 2023

After hearing arguments from both sides, a panel of three judges will decide if Hunter’s case will continue. Hola’s suit is still active and working its way through the court system.

Cover Image via Twitter