Former PD co-owner and lobbyist Darius Anderson accused of fraud in lawsuit by billionaire mentor Ron Burkle

Darius Anderson, former owner of The Press Democrat and prominent Sonoma lobbyist, is facing a lawsuit from his long-time mentor, billionaire Ron Burkle, who accuses him of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and misappropriation of funds. Burkle alleges Anderson paid himself over $20 million from company accounts—Platinum Advisors and Kenwood Investments—without sharing profits with his business partner. The dispute arose during Anderson’s attempt to sell Platinum Advisors, when Burkle obtained financial records suggesting Anderson had been diverting funds for years. Anderson’s attorney dismisses the lawsuit as baseless, claiming Burkle is a passive investor attempting to interfere with the sale. The legal battle also reveals Burkle’s past associations with individuals like Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein, which Anderson’s team attempts to leverage. The relationship between the two men spans over three decades, beginning with Burkle’s mentorship and financial support of Anderson, but has now deteriorated into a public and contentious legal feud, with both sides seeking monetary damages and a full accounting of the companies involved.

(Source：The Press Democrat)