Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. is facing two felony charges after allegedly using a bad check to purchase a $200,000 Audemars Piguet watch in Las Vegas. According to court records, Mayweather wrote a check on December 25, 2024, to Gold and Beyond, a high-end consignment store, but the payment was returned for insufficient funds. Prosecutors filed a criminal complaint on April 27, 2025, and Mayweather’s lawyer appeared in court on his behalf on Monday. The charges include theft of property valued over $100,000 and passing a check with intent to defraud. If convicted, Mayweather could face one to 20 years in prison for theft and one to four years for fraud, along with fines and restitution.
Background and Context
The watch in question is an exclusive Audemars Piguet, a brand considered part of the "Holy Trinity" of Swiss watchmaking. The store, Gold and Beyond, reportedly waited over a year to file the complaint, hoping Mayweather would settle the debt. Attorney Marc Cook, representing the store, told ESPN they gave Mayweather "every opportunity to make good on that" before taking legal action. Mayweather, known for his lavish spending, has faced financial disputes before, including a $340 million lawsuit against Showtime and a former executive over alleged financial fraud.
Legal and Financial Implications
The case raises questions about Mayweather’s financial management, as he has reportedly earned over $1.57 billion in his career. The charges come amid broader scrutiny of high-profile individuals using bad checks for luxury purchases. Mayweather’s legal team has not publicly commented on the case, and the next steps in the legal process remain unclear.