A Playboy shareholder has filed a lawsuit against the magazine’s founder, Hugh Hefner, for refusing to sell the brand despite its declining worth.
The class action lawsuit maintains that in the past six months Hefner has deliberately sabotaged two potential deals to sell off the adult magazine — which the shareholder claims is falling apart. The plaintiff alleges that the 83-year-old hustler enjoys the company of young models too much to give up Playboy.
“If you were Hugh Hefner… would you give up the parade of busty blondes, the fancy mansion and the reality TV show for a pay-out?” an investment company that analyzed Playboy’s business claims said in the lawsuit filed on Monday. “Hefner has continued to live the good life and make sure everyone knows it. Hefner remains in the limelight, showing up at media events and at the Playboy mansion… with his girlfriends by his side.”
The plaintiff is seeking unspecified damages.