Mon Sep 23 17:35:07 UTC 2024: ## Sneaker Mogul James Whitner Cleared in Multi-Million Dollar Federal Lawsuit
**Charlotte, NC** – James Whitner, founder of The Whitaker Group, a company that owns popular sneaker boutiques Social Status, A Ma Maniére, and APB, has been cleared in a multi-million dollar federal lawsuit. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2021, accused Whitner of illegally funneling product to Chinese resellers, resulting in the seizure of $1.2 million of the group’s assets.
The lawsuit stemmed from a series of $32 million deposits made under Whitner’s accounts between 2017 and 2022, which sparked suspicion.
The Whitaker Group has released a statement stating that they have reached a resolution with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina, following “significant cooperation and good-faith negotiations.” While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations, the company maintains they were “unfounded” and “unjustified.”
Whitner and his team have stressed the transparent nature of their inventory management processes and their compliance with industry standards and tax obligations.
The Whitaker Group also expressed frustration at being caught in the middle of “a U.S. financial and regulatory war with China,” a situation they have no part in.
Despite the controversy, Whitner has maintained a strong relationship with collaborators like Nike and Jordan, with recent releases of new Jordan collabs continuing as scheduled.
The resolution of this lawsuit is a relief for Whitner and his team, ensuring the continued success of their businesses and their commitment to serving the communities they operate in.
First Piper 