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via Imago

via Imago

Doubts dog Shilo Sanders. The bankruptcy case involving the Buffs’ safety has taken a surprising turn, with a recent court decision offering some hope to then security guard John Darjean, who was allegedly injured by Sanders in 2015.

The story goes back to a high school incident where Darjean tried to confiscate Shilo’s phone, leading to a physical altercation.

Darjean claims he suffered severe injuries and sued Shilo for a massive $11.8 million. However, the millions worth Colorado Buffaloes safety filed for bankruptcy, claiming he couldn’t pay up. 

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Soon Darjean contested the bankruptcy petition. He argued Shilo wasn’t personally taking care of his NIL deals – his Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) were. These companies, Darjean believed, were simply a way for Shilo to shield his assets. He urged the court to “pierce the corporate veil,” meaning to see through the LLCs and hold Shilo personally responsible.

Shilo’s lawyers called Darjean’s claims baseless, but Colorado Judge Michael Romero seemed to disagree. He found Darjean had a legitimate case to argue that the LLCs were Shilo’s “alter egos” created solely to avoid paying debts. “The complaint contains sufficient allegations that Sanders’s companies function as his alter egos and that the corporate veils of the LLCs should be pierced,” he ruled this Thursday. This may be a modest success for Darjean, as it will empower him to validate his accusation against Shilo’s belongings.

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However, the judge cautioned Darjean that proving this would be a “high burden.” He must present strong evidence at trial to convince the court that he’s got an “extraordinary remedy” in his hands. Now, Darjean has been given time to refine his arguments and come back to court on June 27.

While Darjean fights to hold Shilo accountable, Shilo and his family seem unfazed

Shilo Sanders makes a flashy display amidst his bankruptcy claims

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Shilo Sanders’ legal troubles haven’t stopped celebrations involving him. Recently, Shilo and his family, including his head coach father Deion Sanders, posed for photos with the new Nike Air DT Max ’96. The images, featuring them in sleek black attire next to a classy black Lamborghini, went viral instantly. Now, this flashy display was Shilo’s first social media post in months, following his bankruptcy filing.

Thus Buffs fans saw the post as a positive sign, hoping it signaled progress in his case. Shilo’s attorney, Victor Vital, even expressed eagerness for Shilo to “share his side of the story” in court. Despite a recent setback, Shilo’s team remains confident, aiming to portray him as an “honest but unfortunate debtor.” This strategy seems at odds with the image of a high-profile athlete celebrating with a major sports apparel brand.