Former Real Housewives of New York City star Jill Zarin is being sued by a former business partner in her pickleball company, Pickle Pro Labs.
According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly on Wednesday, April 22, Zarin, 62, is accused of among other things, breach of fiduciary duty and usurpation if corporate opportunities by Noah Springer.
Zarin allegedly “blocked Springer’s access to any of Pickle Pro’s accounts by blocking and/or deleting his corporate email address, with the intent to prevent Springer from being aware of [her] actions.”
Springer claims in court documents that he invested $500,000 into the company in December 2022, granting him a 25 percent ownership stake.
Over time, however, Zarin allegedly “misappropriated Pickle Pro Property, funds and other assets.” In addition, the former Bravo reality star allegedly “mismanaged” the company and “diverted Pickle Pro’s business opportunities without authorization and to the detriment of Pickle Pro, resulting in Pickle Pro suffering damages, being deprived of business opportunities and associated profits.”
Springer claims Zarin ceased to provide any payment to him on or about May 2024. He is requesting the court’s assistance in granting preliminary injunctive relief.
“Mr. Springer’s sole goal in pursuing this action is for his ownership interests and investments to be respected and for him to be compensated adequately — nothing more, nothing less,” an attorney for Springer told Us. “Had Ms. Zarin and/or her entities responded to our pre-suit requests to resolve this matter amicably, these lawsuits may have been avoided entirely. Mr. Springer remains open to a reasonable resolution but will continue to pursue all available legal remedies, including the recovery of attorneys’ fees and costs, to protect his rights.”
Us has reached out to Zarin’s team for comment.
Zarin is known for helping launch The Real Housewives of New York City on Bravo back in 2008. She exited the show after season 4 in September 2011.
Although Zarin was originally slated to star in The Golden Life, an upcoming E! docuseries following several Real Housewives of New York City alums as they reunite their formerly NYC-based friend group in Palm Beach, Florida, she was fired from the project after posting controversial comments about Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show.
“In light of recent public comments made by Jill Zarin, Blink49 Studios has decided not to move forward with her involvement in The Golden Life,” producers said in a statement to Us in February. “We remain committed to delivering the series in line with our company standards and values.”
After the decision was made, Zarin broke her silence to In Touch, saying, “They didn’t even give me a chance. I took it down right away. People make mistakes. I’m human.”
