Patrick Willis Files Lawsuit Against Former Business Partner over Alleged Fraud

Former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis has filed a lawsuit against a former business partner on allegations of fraud. 

Per Salvador Rodriguez of Inc.com, Willis filed a complaint on October 26 at Santa Clara County Superior Court against Eren Niazi and alleged Niazi was using Willis "so he could enrich himself at [Willis's] expense."

Willis surprised the 49ers by retiring prior to the 2015 season at the age of 30. After walking away from the NFL, he took a job as executive vice president of partnerships at Silicon Valley tech company Open Source Storage, a company founded by Niazi. 

However, per Rodriguez, Willis is "seeking full ownership of at least $2 million in disputed real estate as well as unspecified monetary damages from Niazi."

The lawsuit states Willis "lost substantial sums through unsuitable and imprudent investments" made as a result of Niazi's fraud. Willis also claims Niazi induced him into investing money by stating it would be prudently used for safekeeping and growth.  

In addition to facing a lawsuit from Willis, Rodriguez also notes Niazi was recently arrested in California after being charged with using a firearm, discharging a firearm and endangering a child. 

Open Source Storage seems to have fallen on hard times, with Rodriguez pointing out the company's official website was taken offline in October and there is currently "little activity to be found" at the company's office in Campbell, California.

A trial is scheduled to begin on February 21, 2017.