logo

Will Smith reportedly forced to turn over financial records in Duane Martin’s fraud lawsuit

Manuela Cardiga
Feb 21, 2019
03:06 A.M.

Celebrity couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith are embroiled in the fraud allegations against actor Duane Martin.

Advertisement

In the midst of the court case accusing actor Duane Martin of hiding assets when he filed for bankruptcy, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smithe have found themselves involved.

The celebrity couple was subpoenaed by the trustee presiding over Martin’s bankruptcy and turned over financial records and emails exchanged with their actor friend.

Duane Martin/ Source: YouTube/ The Blast

Duane Martin/ Source: YouTube/ The Blast

“Duane originally bought the home in 2006 for $900,000. He then borrowed $1.4 million to construct the ‘Martin family home.’"

Advertisement

MARTIN PRESSURED THE SMITHS FOR A SIZABLE LOAN

According to court documents, the subpoenaed communications and financial records show that in 2012, Martin, a close personal friend of Will Smith, pressured his friend and Jada Pinkett Smith into loaning him $1,4 million.

The $1,4 million was supposed to allow Martin to buy his family a home. but a hoax was already underway.

Will Smith and Duane Martin/ Source: YouTube/ The Blast

Will Smith and Duane Martin/ Source: YouTube/ The Blast

Tisha Campbell-Martin filed for divorce from husband of 21 years Duane Martin amid allegations of domestic violence.

Advertisement

BORROWING MONEY TO BUY A HOME?

In fact, Martin had already bought the house - a 9,000 sq. ft. mansion in Chatsworth, California for $900,000.

Duane defaulted on his original $900,000 loan and negotiated a short sale with his bank. This meant that he paid the bank less than what was owed on the mortgage.

Will and Jada Smith/ Source: YouTube/ The Blast

Will and Jada Smith/ Source: YouTube/ The Blast

LEASING THEIR HOUSE FROM THEIR OWN COMPANY

Martin and his wife Tisha Campbell-Martin, used a company they owned - Roxe LLC - to buy back the house using the money loaned by the Smiths.

Advertisement

The Martins then leased the mansion from their own company for $5,000 a month which they never paid.

HIDING THE EXISTENCE OF THE HOUSE

Duane placed the house on the market in 2018 for $2,695,000, which meant that he would pocket a cool $1,3 million after paying back the Smiths for their interest-free loan.

Martin did not declare his ownership of the property when he filed for bankruptcy, and the trustee is asking that the actor be forced to hand it over to pay his creditors.

There is no indication that Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith were involved in any wrongdoing, in fact they were equally taken in by Duane Martin's fast moves.

Advertisement

DIVORCED AFTER 21 YEARS AMIDST ALLEGATIONS OF VIOLENCE

Tisha Campbell-Martin filed for divorce from husband of 21 years Duane Martin amid allegations of domestic violence.

Advertisement

“After 27 years of being together and two amazing children, it pains me to announce that I’ve filed for divorce.”

Over the years there have been rumors of the actor's infidelities, which insinuated he'd had affairs with men, but the couple stood fast.

Tisha has asked the media to respect the pain she and her children are going through. Duane and Tisha share two children, sons, Ezekiel, 8, and Xen, 16.

In a related story, Will Smith praises his mother-in-law's youthful looks in a photo with his kids Jaden and Willow.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Related posts
Sophia Bush and Chad Michael Murray | Source: Getty Images

Sophia Bush Revealed She Befriended Women Her Ex-Husband Chad Michael Murray Allegedly Cheated on Her With

October 22, 2026

Kim Kardashian | Source: Getty Images

Kim Kardashian on Why She Felt 'No Rush' to Find Love Again

October 08, 2026

Teresa and Milania Giudice | Source: Getty Images

Milania Giudice's Day in Court After She Was Detained – What the Judge Revealed

July 16, 2026

Angelina Jolie and her family | Source: Getty Images

Jennifer Aniston Said She Was Never the 'Model Child' Her Mother Hoped For — and Other Stars Who Had Complicated Childhoods

July 30, 2026

Eric Bieniemy | Source: Getty Images

Footage Captures the Aftermath of the Shocking Incident Involving Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy's Wife in Virginia – Photos & Details

July 28, 2026

Harper, Hudson, Gavin, and Gracelynn Harmon before the tragedy. | Source: GoFundMe

Six Family Members Found Dead in a New York Apartment — Investigators' New Findings Reveal Stunning Details

August 06, 2026

Jack White and Olivia Jean | Source: Getty Images

Jack White's Wife of Four Years Files for Divorce — What She Claims in the Filing

June 24, 2026

Wiz Khalifa | Source: Getty Images

Wiz Khalifa on How Independent Artists Are Competing Against Million-Dollar Budgets

July 01, 2026

Dustin Rose and Samson Campbell | Source: Facebook/WESH 2 News

Two Childhood Friends, 18 and 19, Were Found Dead Days Before Police Arrested a Teen Suspect

August 06, 2026

Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, and Justin Timberlake | Source: Getty Images

How 'Punk'd' Turned Ashton Kutcher Into a Hollywood Pariah — 5 Iconic Pranks People Still Laugh at 20 Years Later

July 10, 2026

Rodderius Morton | Source: X/crimepulsedaily

A Mom Came Home, Found a Man Under Her Daughter's Bed, and Said Something — Now She's Facing Murder Charges

July 20, 2026