MrBeast has used a $2,000-per-hour star
lawyer to threaten legal action against a former employee, according to reports.
The YouTube star, real name Jimmy Donaldson, is believed to have hired Alex Spiro to send a
cease-and-desist to former employee DogPack404. Spiro has previously worked with a lot of
high-profile celebrities and helped to get Alec Baldwin exonerated in the Rust shooting trial.
DogPack404, real name Dawson French, has accused MrBeast of being a "fraud" and a "sociopath"
in online videos. He also accused MrBeast of knowingly hiring a registered sex offender.
In the cease-and-desist letter, Spiro has accused DogPack404 of "posting misinformation
and false statements". DogPack404 had accused MrBeast of "scamming" viewers with
"illegal lotteries" and false promises. The full missive, which has
been obtained by the Daily Mail, threatens legal action against DogPack404 if he
continues to post "unlawful" commentary under the usernames MrBeastCreative and DogPack404.
MrBeast's representatives declined to comment. In response, DogPack404 has stuck to
his claims. Speaking to the publication, he said: "MrBeast has knowingly kept
rapists and pedophiles on payroll (allegedly for legal reasons, although
I think some of them were convicted)." MrBeast has previously been defended against
DogPack404's claims. Former MrBeast employee Ben Acott told The Mirror US he had "nothing but an
incredible experience working closely with him". He added: "One of the biggest surprises
working with the MrBeast ecosystem is the integrity of the operation and how
tight the legal side is as it relates to the prizes and competition structure
across all the videos and sweepstakes. "All the millions, the chocolate factory,
the countless Teslas and the thousands of other prizes given away over the years are
over-compliant and painstakingly managed so it delivered the best fan experience." Ben
explained how MrBeast and his company had "multiple big legal firms just on sweepstakes law
on retainer" to ensure the brand was protected. He continued: "More importantly (and
the thing he cared about most) was the fan/subscriber experience - to be done
fairly and in compliance. If that failed, his entire ecosystem would be impacted so
it always is and has been of top priority to do everything critically perfect. Jimmy
is a 100000% a perfectionist with this and when it's questioned, it definitely
affects him and the team behind it."