Shark Tank's Herjavec named in OneFlight jet card lawsuit

Robert Herjavec, an investor on ABC's Shark Tank, has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by OneFlight customer Mark Heimbouch, who alleges that Herjavec's public endorsements of the jet card broker gave him confidence in the company's financial stability.

Heimbouch wired OneFlight $741,456 in total between May 2024 and September 2026, with his final payment of $95,000 arriving on September 15, 2026—hours before the company suspended operations on September 16. According to AeroTime, Heimbouch's subsequent demands for a refund were unsuccessful. The lawsuit does not say what portion of his balance remains unreturned, only that he claims the full amount as an unreturned balance.

The lawsuit and its allegations

Heimbouch filed the lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Colorado on October 22, 2026, naming OneFlight entities, CEO Ferren Rajput, sales executives Mark Dismuke and Mark Sanchez, and Herjavec as defendants. According to Private Jet Card Comparisons, the filing claims that Herjavec "did not merely serve as a passive paid spokesperson" but instead "entered into an extensive promotional and equity partnership with OFI, actively holding himself out as a bona fide user, client, equity stakeholder, and national ambassador of OneFlight."

The complaint alleges that Herjavec "lent his significant personal and professional reputation for business acumen, due diligence, and financial trustworthiness to OneFlight, appearing in national commercials, promotional videos, print and digital advertising campaigns, social media blitzes, and press releases." Heimbouch says he "saw and actively relied upon Robert Herjavec's high-profile, continuous promotion and personal endorsement of OneFlight," and that "Herjavec's public imprimatur and active promotion instilled confidence in plaintiff regarding OneFlight's fiscal stability, operational legitimacy, and safety, directly inducing plaintiff to enter into jet-card contracts with OFI."

Heimbouch has appeared as a defendant in what Private Jet Card Comparisons describes as more than a dozen lawsuits against OneFlight. The allegations in other suits similarly document how OneFlight sold existing customers multiple programs that created an ever-increasing balance of flight credits.

Herjavec's response

Herjavec denies having an ownership stake in OneFlight or knowing about the company's financial problems. According to AeroTime, Herjavec told Private Jet Card Comparisons that "like many people, including employees, I was completely fooled and deceived by this company and its founder," and that he was preparing to sue OneFlight himself.

The claims against Herjavec include fraud, deceptive trade practices, civil conspiracy and unjust enrichment. Herjavec has appeared in OneFlight's advertising campaigns since 2019; Private Jet Card Comparisons reports that a new campaign debuted in May 2026.

OneFlight's operations and suspension

OneFlight, based in Englewood, Colorado, sold prepaid jet cards and arranged flights through third-party aircraft operators. According to AeroTime, customers deposited money for future travel, with the broker paying operators to conduct the flights. When OneFlight suspended operations on September 16, it announced the pause would last 30 days or until further notice while reviewing its operations.

AeroTime reports that OneFlight CEO Rajput told Private Jet Card Comparisons that customer funds were not held in escrow. The company's website has since gone offline.

The suspension followed other signs of financial pressure. According to AeroTime, in August 2026 OneFlight announced a 35 percent surcharge for customers with contracted flight rates, then withdrew it hours later after customer objections. Some charter operators had also reported overdue payments, while others said they had been paid.