2 min read
Sources:
press and public records, Kevin's account, his own videos
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Short answer
Two episodes from Kevin’s first year of full-time YouTube. In 2018 Ramsey Solutions sued him for breach of contract, trade secrets and defamation over videos critical of Dave Ramsey’s referral business; the case moved to federal court and settled privately in 2019, and the videos came down. In December 2018 he showed up at Grant Cardone’s Miami office dressed as a Christmas elf with poinsettias; he was charged in February 2019 with misdemeanor trespassing and disorderly conduct, and the charges were dismissed. He has called the stunt a mistake and has not done a prank since. 123
Ramsey suit: 2018 (settled privately in 2019, videos removed)
Cardone stunt: Dec 21, 2018 (elf costume, poinsettias, bullhorn)
Charges: Dismissed (misdemeanor trespass and disorderly conduct, filed Feb 2019)
Ramsey Solutions, 2018 to 2019
Kevin had briefly been part of Ramsey’s Endorsed Local Providers program for real estate agents. In 2018 he posted videos critical of the program, including one titled “Dave Ramsey: Exposed,” arguing the leads were cold and the fee was collected for doing nothing. Ramsey Solutions sued, alleging breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets and defamation. Kevin called the suit an attempt to censor speech. The case moved to federal court in 2019 and settled privately later that year; the videos were removed. Terms were never disclosed. 1
Kevin’s account
These are pretty historical issues now. I have scaled back aggressive commentary against people like Dave Ramsey. As a real estate agent myself I thought I had insight worth sharing. Ramsey obviously disagreed. 3
Grant Cardone, December 2018
After making videos criticizing Grant Cardone’s business model, Kevin flew to Miami on December 21, 2018 and showed up at Cardone’s offices with a group dressed as Christmas elves, handing out poinsettias. Police reports described him running through the building with a bullhorn after being ushered out, then picketing outside. In February 2019 he was charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors. The charges were later dismissed. In a May 2021 television interview he said he had gotten carried away with the entertainment side of YouTube. 2
Kevin’s account
I was trying to find my footing on YouTube and thought dramatic stunts, MrBeast or Danny Duncan style, were how you attract viewers. In hindsight it was a totally different audience. Mine is older, more mature and uninterested in drama. I have not done a prank since. The video is one of the few I keep private. 3
Why they are on this site
Both episodes appear in every critical thread about Kevin, usually without the endings. The endings are: a private settlement over opinion videos, and a dismissed misdemeanor over a prank. Neither involved money entrusted to him, and both predate the company by four years.
In his own videos
One settled lawsuit over opinion videos, one dismissed prank charge, both from 2018. Kevin calls the prank a mistake, dropped the aggressive commentary, and keeps the video private. 23
Simply put
✅ Ramsey
➡️ Kevin had briefly been in Dave Ramsey's agent referral program and made videos saying the leads were bad and the fees unearned.
➡️ Ramsey's company sued for breach of contract, trade secrets and defamation.
➡️ It settled privately in 2019. The videos were taken down.
✅ Cardone
➡️ Kevin flew to Miami and walked into Grant Cardone's office dressed as an elf handing out flowers, with a bullhorn.
➡️ He was charged with two misdemeanors. Both were dismissed.
➡️ He said in 2021 he got carried away with the entertainment side of YouTube. No pranks since.
Sources
Wikipedia, Kevin Paffrath (Ramsey Solutions suit, 2018 to 2019), Open
Inman, March 5, 2019, "Popular YouTubing agent facing criminal charges for video antics", Open
Kevin's account, Ramsey and Cardone: “I haven't done a prank since. It's a legacy moment that's now nearly a decade old.” Read the excerpt
Kevin on YouTube, "grant cardone is suing me..." (2019-01-03), at 6:37: “I realize I took things too far when I went to deliver Christmas flowers to Grant Cardone's office. It was stupid, it was childish” Watch from 6:37
Kevin on YouTube, "Grant Cardone vs Meet Kevin: The Lawsuit is Over" (2019-02-20), at 0:00: “Cardone v. Paffrath case dismissed” Watch from 0:00
