Danbury Nightclub Owner Ian Bick Sued Over Mr. Beast Winnings

The high-profile saga of former Danbury nightclub owner Ian Bick just took another dramatic turn, this time in a Connecticut courtroom.

Fresh off a headline-grabbing appearance in a MrBeast YouTube challenge worth half a million dollars, Bick now faces a lawsuit from his former business partners. They say they deserve a big share of his winnings and other media income linked to his life story.

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From Danbury Nightclub Owner to Viral YouTube Winner

Bick first made waves across Connecticut for his role in the Danbury nightlife scene. He gained national attention for less flattering reasons in 2015, when a federal court convicted him of wire fraud and money laundering.

Residents from Bridgeport to Hartford followed the dramatic fall of this young club promoter. After serving his sentence, Bick tried to rebuild his public image.

He leaned into his past, turning it into content—podcasts, documentaries, and social media. Viewers from Connecticut and beyond tuned in.

That all led to what might be his most widely seen moment yet: YouTube star MrBeast’s challenge, “Survive 100 Days in Prison, Win $500,000.”

The MrBeast Challenge and the $240,000 Prize

In the MrBeast video, Bick teamed up with retired NYPD detective Lenny Bradley. The concept was simple but pretty wild: endure 100 days in a simulated prison for a shot at $500,000.

Bick and Bradley finished the challenge and reportedly split the prize, each pocketing $240,000. Bick has said publicly that he used $150,000 of his winnings to pay court-ordered restitution from his earlier federal case.

Observers in cities like New Haven, Waterbury, and Norwalk watched closely, following his story of crime and attempted redemption.

The Connecticut Lawsuit: Former Partners Want a Piece

Three of Bick’s former business partners have now filed a lawsuit in Connecticut Superior Court. The plaintiffs—Patrick Ganino, James Didato, and Darren Prince—once co-owned a company with Bick called BBE Entertainment.

According to the complaint, BBE Entertainment was created to cash in on media projects about Bick’s life. The lawsuit says Ganino, Didato, and Prince are owed royalty payments from Bick-related media, including podcasts, documentaries, and on-camera appearances.

Alleged Agreement on Life-Story Royalties

The complaint lays out BBE’s ownership breakdown:

52.5% – Ian Bick

25.5% – Patrick Ganino

12% – James Didato

10% – Darren Prince

The former partners claim there was a contract capping their combined royalties from Bick’s media projects at $510,000. Now, they argue the MrBeast “Survive 100 Days in Prison” money falls under that deal.

Do MrBeast Winnings Count as Media Revenue?

The big question: does prize money from an online contest count as “media revenue” tied to Bick’s story? The plaintiffs argue MrBeast’s challenge is basically a high-profile media project, and Bick’s participation comes straight from his notoriety.

They’ve calculated what they believe they’re owed from the $240,000 prize:

$187,200 – Patrick Ganino

$72,000 – James Didato

$36,000 – Darren Prince

Treble Damages and a Strong Legal Posture

On top of those numbers, the plaintiffs want treble damages, which could triple what they get if the court finds certain misconduct. That raises the stakes a lot and shows how aggressive their claim is.

Folks from Stamford to New London can’t help but notice how this case highlights the tension between old-school entertainment contracts and new types of online content and prize money.

Bick’s Legal Team Pushes Back

Bick’s attorney, Martin Minnella, has blasted the lawsuit, calling it frivolous. He says the BBE Entertainment agreement only covers royalties from media projects—not contest winnings or game show prizes.

From Minnella’s perspective, the MrBeast prize is just contest earnings, not media revenue. If the court agrees, Ganino, Didato, and Prince might walk away empty-handed, despite their past business ties to Bick.

What Happens Next in Connecticut Superior Court?

Right now, there aren’t any court dates on the calendar. The case is still in its early days.

This one could end up shaping how Connecticut courts treat influencer income, prize winnings, and life-rights deals in the world of YouTube and viral fame.

If you’re watching from Danbury, Hartford, or along the shoreline in places like Norwalk or New London, it’s hard not to feel a little curious. This lawsuit feels like the latest twist in a Connecticut saga—crime, second chances, internet stardom, and now a courtroom clash over MrBeast money.

Here is the source article for this story: Former Danbury nightclub owner Ian Bick sued over Mr. Beast game show winnings

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