Kelsey Grammer Sued in Connection with Ponzi Scheme That Cost Him $1 Million

Kelsey Grammer Lydia Cornell

11:45 am, June 25th, 2012

•  

Kelsey Grammer is being sued in connection with a Ponzi scheme that victimized the “Frasier” star to the tune of $1 million.

Actress Lydia Cornell and other plaintiffs have added Grammer’s name to the list of defendants in a $100 million lawsuit that claims the famous actor was used to lure them into a fraudulent venture involving a website called Staropoly.com.

The plaintiffs allege that Grammer bears partial responsibility in the lawsuit, which contains charges including extortion and grand theft, because his name and likeness were used to promote Staropoly, in which he was seen as a “partner” by duped investors.

Cornell and the other plaintiffs contend that the actor was a central piece in establishing the supposed credibility of what turned out to be a scheme, allegedly perpetrated by Alex Varanos and a firm called TODHD.

But Grammer’s own legal team is firing back, blasting charges that Grammer was anything but a fellow victim in the venture.

The actor’s lawyer, Marty Singer, tells Gossip Cop, “Any claims filed against Kelsey Grammer concerning Starpoly are absurd and without merit.”

He adds, “Kelsey has been substantially damaged in this venture, and in fact lost $1 million of his own money. Kelsey received nothing from the venture, monetarily or otherwise.”

Singer continues, “Kelsey has not been contacted by any of the attorney’s in the lawsuit, not been served and has not been contacted by any governmental agency. If Alex Varanos told people that TODHD was Kelsey’s network, then it was done without Kelsey’s authorization, and against Kelsey’s strenuous objections.”

In fact, Grammer may legally pursue the plaintiffs.

Singer tells Gossip Cop, “The parties and attorneys who sued Kelsey on these fictional claims will be exposed to significant liability for malicious prosecution.”

Gossip Cop will have updates.

Follow @GossipCop on Twitter!

Like us on Facebook!

Sign up for Gossip Cop's daily newsletter.

You might like:

• The Drew Carey Show: What Ever Happened to Mimi?
• Remember Lisa Turtle? Wait Til You See Her Now!
• Is Justin Bieber Dating Kylie Jenner?
• You Won't Believe Nicky Minaj's Natural Hair
• The Worst Celebrity Tattoos Ever

• Human Barbie Discusses Her Unique Look
• Could This Be Kim K.'s Biggest Fashion Fail Yet?
• Can You Believe Kim Kardashian Was This Thin?
• Style: Taylor Swift Knows Her Geometry
• Amanda Bynes' Scary and Strange Twitter Photos