Billionaire Ron Burkle accuses his former bodyguard of multi-million dollar fraud

Billionaire Ronald Burkle is suing political activist Darius Anderson, accusing his ex-boyfriend and friend of defrauding him out of millions of dollars.

Burkle alleges that Anderson used a billionaire’s network and seed investment to build a powerful lobbying company — but later diverted Burkle’s share of the profits to himself. The legal dispute marks a falling out between Anderson and his longtime coach Burkle, who was the best man at Anderson’s wedding.

Anderson filed a lawsuit seeking to dissolve the company because of Burkle’s “greed, misconduct, and public reporting of Mr. Burkle’s relationships with certain individuals,” according to a complaint filed by Anderson’s company DWA Enterprises.

Anderson’s legal counsel addressed media reports about Burkle’s connections to Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein when asked what specific relationships his client was concerned about.

Burkle’s attorney, Patty Glaser, dismissed the references as an attempt to distract from Anderson’s guilt, saying Burkle had insisted for decades that Epstein was a “scumbag” and that his only connection to Weinstein was as an investor in movies his companies produced.

The legal dispute began on February 6, when OA 3, LLC, an affiliate of Burkle, filed a lawsuit accusing Anderson of paying himself more than $16.5 million from his lobbying firm’s accounts from 2014 to 2025, while intentionally depriving Burkle of any share of the profits.

OA 3 owns 20% of Anderson’s recruiting firm Platinum Advisors, LLC, according to the complaint. The Sacramento-based firm with offices in San Francisco and Washington, DC, represents a number of powerful clients, including Anthem Inc., Sony Interactive Entertainment and Capital One, according to its website.

The lawsuit also accuses Anderson of using two offshoot LLCs and a real estate company to make about $5 million in additional profits.

“Anderson quietly orchestrated a decade-long profiteering campaign – netting himself millions in undisclosed payments, creating secret competitive structures, and depriving his business partner of every dollar he was owed,” says the complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by OA 3 against Anderson and the value of his business.

In response, Anderson accused Burkle of trying to “smear” him as part of a “broad scheme to extract unauthorized cash payments,” according to a complaint filed by Anderson’s company DWA Enterprises against Burkle’s OA 3 business.

Anderson says that in his position, Burkle made more than 800% profit on a small seed investment he made in a recruiting company, while not working in the business.

Anderson’s firm DWA Enterprises filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking to dissolve consulting firm Platinum Advisors LLC, arguing that the partners had “reached a stalemate” and could no longer work together. DWA Enterprises filed a similar lawsuit in San Francisco asking a judge to dissolve Anderson’s real estate company Kenwood Investments LLC, in which Burkle’s company has a 10% stake.

On a more personal level, the legal feud between Burkle and Anderson has turned into a battle over reputation — as the two influential figures in California politics and business attack each other’s character.

“On his eponymous website, Darius Anderson refers to himself as a ‘modern renaissance man,'” says the lawsuit filed by Burkle’s company. “Anderson’s photo looms large on the landing page, dressed in a cowboy outfit. … Anderson is not a renaissance man, but rather a manager who abused his authority and betrayed the fiduciary duties he owed to his investor, friend and mentor.”

In a statement, Anderson’s legal representative said it was “impossible” for Anderson to associate with Burkle “because of the public reporting of his association with certain individuals” such as Weinstein and Epstein. Anderson alleges that the relationship had a negative impact on his business and led to “concerns about the dignity expressed by female employees,” according to his company’s complaint.

Burkle said in a telephone interview that he has never been to the offices of a human rights company or interacted with its female employees. He emphasized that his only relationship with the business is as a passive investor.

Burkle’s name appeared in court documents released in 2024 accusing him of having knowledge of Epstein’s sex-trafficking behavior. Burkle said he once flew on Epstein’s plane as part of a philanthropic trip with President Clinton in 2002. He said he saw nothing illegal, but found Epstein “weird” and chose to fly home on business.

Burkle is estimated to be worth $3.9-billion, according to Forbes. He made his fortune buying and selling supermarket chains, investing in technology companies like Airbnb and Uber and as part owner of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.

Although Anderson’s relationship with the billionaire turned sour, it began as a peaceful relationship more than three decades ago.

In 1995, Anderson joined Burkle’s Los Angeles-based private equity firm, Yucaipa Cos. While working there, Anderson persuaded Burkle to give him $100,000 in seed money to launch his recruiting firm Platinum Advisors, according to a complaint filed by Burkle’s firm.

For years, Burkle served as a mentor and friend, even extending Anderson a loan to buy his home, the complaint said.

Burkle alleges that Anderson stopped paying her in 2014 after becoming angry with her over an undisclosed personal dispute, the complaint states. Instead, Anderson began paying himself large “guaranteed payments” — compensation made to a company member regardless of profits — that ensured his companies appeared to make little or no profit, the complaint continued.

Anderson did not devote enough time to the lobbying firm to qualify for these “expensive” payments, Burkle said, as during this time he served as the CEO of a hunting club and restaurant, owner of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, CEO of a real estate firm, founder of a charity and a member of several boards.

Burkle said he became aware of the allegations of wrongdoing by Anderson in the fall of 2025 when Anderson tried to buy his stake in the lobbying firm for $1 million. Burkle claims that he was then denied access to a large portion of the lobbying company’s financial records and that Anderson later admitted that he “secretly retaliated against Burkle” by not paying Burkle’s company any distributions of the company’s profits.

In a lawsuit filed by Anderson’s company in response, the businessman says he tried to reach an agreement with Burkle to end the recruiting business and “fully deal with any financial issues, such as debt payments and membership allocations.” Anderson says the men have reached a dead end and is asking the judge to dissolve their business connections.

Burkle claims Anderson committed billions of dollars in fraud against companies Burkle invested in and is seeking damages, release of financial records and restitution.

Times staff writer Seema Mehta contributed to this report.