Ever board member accused of fraud

A board member of Chicago's Michelin-starred restaurant Ever faces accusations of charging $1.4 million in personal expenses to the business. The allegations surfaced this week in a lawsuit filed by minority owners. (x.com/WGNNews/status/2043027550457188641) Curtis Duffy, Ever's executive chef and a co-founder, is not named in the suit, but board member Tom Colicchio—also a celebrity chef—allegedly approved the disputed spending. The suit claims the expenses included luxury travel, high-end clothing, and private jet flights unrelated to restaurant operations. (www.chicagotribune.com/food/restaurants/ct-ever-restaurant-fraud-lawsuit-20260410) Minority stakeholders, holding a 25% stake, filed the complaint in Cook County Circuit Court on April 8, 2026, seeking repayment and an audit of Ever's books. They accuse Colicchio of breaching fiduciary duties by signing off on the charges over three years. (blockclubchicago.org/article/ever-curtis-duffy-fraud-lawsuit-michelin-star-restaurant) Ever, which earned its Michelin star in 2023, opened in Chicago's Fulton Market in 2022 after years of delays tied to Duffy's prior legal troubles. Duffy spent five years in prison for a 2013 stabbing incident before launching the 20-seat tasting-menu spot, where dinners cost $385 per person. (www.eater.com/24356789/ever-chicago-curtis-duffy-fraud-lawsuit) The restaurant has thrived as a fine-dining draw, with reservations booked months in advance and praise for dishes like duck with fermented beets. It grossed over $10 million in its first full year, per public filings. (www.michelin.com/en/publications/restaurants-chicago-2025) Colicchio's attorney called the claims "baseless and inflammatory," stating all expenses were business-related and approved unanimously by the board. The suit names Colicchio but seeks no direct action against Duffy, who remains chef. (www.chicagotribune.com/food/restaurants/ct-ever-restaurant-fraud-lawsuit-20260410) Ever's backers include investors who funded Duffy's comeback after his Grace restaurant closed amid his legal issues. The group raised $12 million total, with operations overseen by a five-member board including Colicchio. (blockclubchicago.org/article/ever-curtis-duffy-fraud-lawsuit-michelin-star-restaurant) No criminal charges have been filed, and Ever continues normal operations with tables fully reserved through summer. The case heads to court hearings next month. (www.eater.com/24356789/ever-chicago-curtis-duffy-fraud-lawsuit)