Manny Pacquiao files lawsuit over "knowingly false allegations" against him

Boxer sues restaurant server and law firms for "inflicting reputational damage and coercing payment"

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Manny Pacquiao has filed a malicious prosecution lawsuit against a restaurant server and several law firms, accusing them of fabricating claims and falsely accusing him in an attempt to extort millions of dollars. The lawsuit alleges the defendants knowingly made "sensational allegations" to damage Pacquiao's reputation and coerce payment from him, despite evidence refuting their claims.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles between high-profile athletes and those seeking to profit off their fame, even years after their prime. It raises questions about the integrity of the legal system and the ability of wealthy individuals to be targeted with false claims in an attempt to extract large payouts.

The details

In 2016, Gabriel Rueda, a waiter at Craig's restaurant in West Hollywood, sued Pacquiao claiming he was owed an $8.6 million finder's fee for connecting Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach with then-CBS president Leslie Moonves to arrange Pacquiao's 2015 fight with Floyd Mayweather. Rueda demanded $42 million in damages. However, Pacquiao's lawyers produced a letter from Rueda stating he "asked for nothing in return" for the introduction. Pacquiao was also accused of sending Rueda threatening text messages with images of dismembered bodies, but his lawyers showed these were part of a widely distributed drug cartel scam. A judge dismissed Rueda's case in 2024, but now Pacquiao is suing Rueda and the law firms involved for malicious prosecution, seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

  • In 2016, Gabriel Rueda sued Pacquiao claiming he was owed an $8.6 million finder's fee.
  • In 2018, a court order compelled the production of evidence that was later found to have been suppressed by Rueda and his attorneys.
  • In 2020, Rueda claimed he received threatening text messages from Pacquiao, but Pacquiao's lawyers showed these were part of a wider scam.
  • In 2024, a judge dismissed Rueda's case against Pacquiao.
  • In February 2026, Pacquiao filed a malicious prosecution lawsuit against Rueda and the law firms involved.

The players

Manny Pacquiao

A professional boxer who is suing a restaurant server and law firms for making "knowingly false allegations" against him in an attempt to extort millions of dollars.

Gabriel Rueda

A former waiter at Craig's restaurant in West Hollywood who sued Pacquiao in 2016 claiming he was owed an $8.6 million finder's fee.

Khan Law Office

One of the law firms named in Pacquiao's malicious prosecution lawsuit.

Withers Bergman

One of the law firms named in Pacquiao's malicious prosecution lawsuit.

Pierce Bainbridge Beck Price & Hecht

A now-defunct law firm named in Pacquiao's malicious prosecution lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“Defendants knowingly and deliberately misused the judicial process to prosecute claims that were completely fabricated from the outset and directly refuted by evidence that Defendants knew about, possessed, and suppressed.”

— Manny Pacquiao's lawyers (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the malicious prosecution lawsuit filed by Pacquiao to proceed.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles between high-profile athletes and those seeking to profit off their fame, even years after their prime. It raises concerns about the integrity of the legal system and the ability of wealthy individuals to be targeted with false claims in an attempt to extract large payouts.