Matthew Pritzker, an heir to one of America’s richest and most politically connected families, has been quietly dropped from the invitation as a co-host for President Joe Biden’s first fundraiser in Los Angeles following accusations of unwanted sexual acts and a $25 million lawsuit.
The 41-year-old had been listed as a co-host on a November invitation that went out to A-list Hollywood donors but was removed from an updated one that includes new co-hosts and highlights musician Lenny Kravitz’s appearance at an event slated for Friday night, the Los Angeles Times reported.
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Pritzker’s uncles started the Hyatt hotel chain, and his cousin, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL), is co-chair of Biden’s reelection campaign. His influential family has funded Democratic candidates in multiple states over the years and has given generously to progressive causes.
In a lawsuit filed on Nov. 23 in New York State Supreme Court, attorneys for a woman using the pseudonym “Jane Doe” allege that “Pritzker engaged in sexual acts with Plaintiff without her consent, and while she was incapacitated, and could not provide consent.”
The alleged offenses took place on May 31, 2009.
“The relief sought is an amount to be determined at trial but in no event less than twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000.00) in compensatory and punitive damages, together with attorneys’ fees and costs, and all applicable interest,” the document reads.
Court documents do not name Pritzker’s attorneys, but he has until Dec. 13 to either respond to the claims or show up in court two days later.
The lawsuit was filed in New York state under the Adult Survivors Act. The 2022 legislation created a one-year span that would allow alleged victims of sexual misconduct to file civil lawsuits in cases that fell outside the statute of limitations. So far, more than 2,500 lawsuits have been filed under the law, including cases against former President Donald Trump, actor Russell Brand, and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Calls to Doe’s attorneys for comment were not returned.
Pritzker is no stranger to the legal system.
He and his sister Liesel, a former child actress, sued their billionaire father, Robert Pritzker, accusing him of stealing $1 billion from their trust fund when he divorced their mother in the 1990s. The siblings dropped the lawsuit after reaching a $900 million settlement.
In 2009, Pritzker was back in court after a cyclist in Chicago accused him of deliberately knocking him off his bike while driving his SUV. That case was eventually dismissed.
It is unclear whether Pritzker will still attend Friday’s event or stay away altogether.
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The remaining co-hosts include Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg, Rob Reiner, producer Shonda Rhimes, Peter Chernin, and former CEO of Paramount Pictures Jim Gianopulos. Others expected to be in attendance include billionaire businessman Rick Caruso as well as tech titans, entrepreneurs, investors, actors, and corporate leaders. They will shell out nearly $930,000 apiece in support of Biden.
The event is taking place at the palatial estate of famous interior designer Michael Smith and his partner James Costos, who was an ambassador to Spain in the Obama administration. Smith was appointed by President Barack Obama to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House and was tasked in 2010 to give the Oval Office a makeover.
