Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey co-founders Fawn and Keith Weaver filed a civil lawsuit in Bedford County, Tennessee, against the company’s former chief financial officer, Michael Senzaki, accusing him of fraud, forgery, abuse of power, and other misconduct tied to the brand’s finances. 

The complaint, reported by Black Enterprise and trade outlet The Spirits Business, alleged Senzaki manipulated financial systems to conceal millions of dollars in vendor liabilities and diverted funds through altered invoices. 

The Weavers claimed Senzaki changed invoices to divert funds, concealed liabilities to make the company appear healthier during a period of rapid growth, and committed acts of forgery and breach of fiduciary duty. The suit reportedly includes allegations of defamation and other counts tied to Senzaki’s conduct as CFO. The filings say the alleged actions took place while Senzaki was entrusted with the company’s finances during a time when Uncle Nearest expanded its operations.

The Spirit Business reports that the complaint says the alleged manipulation created a false appearance of financial health by hiding "millions of dollars in vendor liabilities," a claim that the Weavers say misled investors, partners, and internal stakeholders. The founders are seeking damages and accountability through the civil court process. 

Uncle Nearest — a Black-owned whiskey brand that has grown into a nationally distributed spirits company and operates the Uncle Nearest Distillery and various hospitality ventures — has been a high-profile example of Black entrepreneurship in the spirits industry. The lawsuit adds a legal challenge to the company’s recent growth narrative and will proceed through Tennessee civil courts.