A new lawsuit filed by investors, including Toy Story screenwriter Joel Cohen, alleges a fraudulent scheme involving bioscience company Sofie Biosciences, its officers, as well as legal and financial advisors (Beyond Infinity II v. Sofie Biosciences, Inc., et. al, County of Los Angeles, Central District, Case No. 258TCV21482, July 21, 2025).

The complaint, filed on behalf of Cohen and his wife Michele Pietra, claims a $150 million fraudulent scheme and conspiracy to intentionally undervalue the company before its sale to private equity firm Trilantic North America, resulting in a significant reduction in the investors' ownership stake.

The lawsuit, brought by downtown Los Angeles law firm Parker Shaffie, LLP, alleges Sofie Biosciences and its attorneys at Reed Smith and Bird Marella, along with appraisal company Kroll, Inc., "colluded to cheat investors." The plaintiffs claim the defendants deliberately manipulated the company's valuation to avoid paying investors their fair share.

"This was an orchestrated, fraudulent scheme whereby Sofie and its attorneys and advisors purposely shopped around to manipulate the appraisal by making material omissions, all so they could intentionally suppress the true value of the company to the detriment of, amongst others, noteholders like our clients," said Shawn Shaffie, partner at Parker Shaffie.

According to the complaint, investors were promised fair compensation based on an independent valuation of the company. However, the lawsuit alleges Sofie and its advisors pressured valuation firms to suppress the company’s value. When the first appraiser provided a figure deemed “too high,” the company allegedly switched to Kroll, which then valued the company at $2.1 to $2.5 million. Just one year later, Sofie was acquired by Trilantic North America for over $500 million.

Plaintiff Beyond Infinity II, LLC has described the alleged conspiracy as “a story of brazen greed.”

The lawsuit seeks nearly $38 million plus punitive damages on behalf of the plaintiff.

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The lawsuit, brought by downtown Los Angeles law firm Parker Shaffie, LLP, alleges Sofie Biosciences and its attorneys at Reed Smith and Bird Marella, along with appraisal company Kroll, Inc., "colluded to cheat investors."