Staff Reports
Matthew Pritzker, scion of the influential Pritzker family, has been disinvited from co-hosting President Joe Biden's inaugural Los Angeles fundraiser amid allegations of unwanted sexual acts and a substantial $25 million lawsuit. Initially featured on the invitation sent to prominent Hollywood donors, the 41-year-old heir to the Hyatt hotel chain was later omitted from the updated guest list, which now highlights the participation of musician Lenny Kravitz.
The Pritzker family, recognized for their close ties to the Democratic elite, has a history of significant contributions to progressive causes and support for Democratic candidates nationwide. Notably, Matthew's cousin, Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, serves as the co-chair of Biden’s reelection campaign, further solidifying the family's influence within Democratic circles.
Matthew Pritzker, an heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune, was had stumped up thousands to appear as a co-host for the Hollywood fundraiser
— News News News (@NewsNew97351204) December 8, 2023
A woman identified as "Jane Doe" has filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court, accusing Matthew Pritzker of engaging in non-consensual sexual acts while she was incapacitated in 2009. The lawsuit seeks a substantial $25 million in compensatory and punitive damages, along with attorney’s fees and costs. Adding complexity to the situation, the enactment of the Adult Survivors Act in 2022 has led to over 2,500 lawsuits, involving notable figures such as former President Donald Trump, actor Russell Brand, and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
This legal entanglement isn’t the first for Matthew Pritzker. In the 1990s, he and his sister Liesel accused their billionaire father of diverting a staggering $1 billion from their trust fund during a contentious divorce, ultimately resulting in a $900 million settlement. Additionally, in 2009, Pritzker faced allegations that he intentionally knocked a bicyclist off his bike with his SUV in Chicago, although the case was eventually dismissed.
The looming question remains whether Pritzker will still attend the star-studded event on Friday or choose to stay away. The fundraiser's elite guest list includes notable figures such as Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg, producer Shonda Rhimes, and former Paramount Pictures CEO Jim Gianopulos. The event is scheduled to be hosted at the opulent estate of renowned interior designer Michael Smith and his partner James Costos, a former ambassador to Spain in the Obama administration, who notably revamped the Oval Office during that era.
