Shelby Sapp Lawsuit Exposed, Inside the $10M Girl Sales Boss Fallout & the Question Everyone’s Asking
Gueorgui Stoitzev filed a lawsuit against Shelby Haas-Sapp and She Sells Academy LLC on September 12, 2024 in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court, Florida, alleging breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of trade secrets, and claims exceeding $50,000 related to their former company Girl Sales Boss LLC. The case remains open as of November 2025, with Judge Robert Watson presiding, though court documents reveal the parties reached a settlement agreement requiring Sapp to pay $6,500 by October 7, 2024. Discovery disputes continue, with the court denying defense motions in January 2025, suggesting the settlement may not have been fully executed or additional claims remain unresolved.
What Are the Latest Developments in the Shelby Sapp Lawsuit?
On January 24, 2025, the court issued an Order Denying Motion, indicating recent legal activity in the case. Court dockets show ongoing discovery disputes, with Stoitzev filing responses opposing defendants’ motions to stay discovery and motions to compel discovery responses. Blake Rocha, listed as a defendant, filed a motion to dismiss. The case status remains “Open” despite settlement agreement language discovered in court filings.
Recent docket entries from February 2025 show electronic summons issued to She Sells Academy LLC and the filing of a stipulation for substitution of counsel, suggesting the legal battle continues with new legal representation.
Social media coverage of the lawsuit exploded in May 2025 when YouTuber Spencer Cornelia published an investigation titled “I Investigated Girl Boss Shelby Sapp’s $10M+ Lawsuit,” bringing widespread attention to the case and additional allegations that Sapp stole her brand and logo from another business owner.
What Triggered the Shelby Sapp Lawsuit?
Plaintiff Gueorgui Stoitzev was integrally involved in Girl Sales Boss LLC’s development and operations, including conceptualizing and refining the business model, developing proprietary training materials and methodologies, creating and managing client databases and CRM systems, handling day-to-day operations and client communications. The complaint alleges Stoitzev built the infrastructure for what became a multi-million dollar organization.
The lawsuit claims the company’s unique value proposition combined with Defendant Shelby’s large social media audience made this a multi-million dollar organization helping women get placed into high value remote sales roles. Stoitzev alleges he developed the core business systems while Sapp provided social media reach and brand visibility.
The case centers on alleged business partner betrayal after Stoitzev claims he was pushed out of Girl Sales Boss while Sapp retained the business model, training materials, client relationships, and brand value to launch She Sells Academy. Stoitzev alleges Sapp used his proprietary methodologies and trade secrets to build She Sells Academy into the “world’s largest all-women remote sales” training program without proper compensation.
Current Legal Claims in the Shelby Sapp Case
The complaint includes multiple causes of action: breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of trade secrets under Florida’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act, and claims for damages exceeding $50,000. Stoitzev alleges Sapp violated partnership duties owed to him as a co-founder and business developer of Girl Sales Boss.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Allegations that Sapp, as a business partner, violated duties of loyalty, good faith, and fair dealing owed to Stoitzev by allegedly appropriating business opportunities, client relationships, and proprietary systems for her personal benefit through She Sells Academy.
Misappropriation of Trade Secrets: Claims that training methodologies, client databases, CRM systems, and business processes developed by Stoitzev for Girl Sales Boss constitute trade secrets under Florida law, and that Sapp allegedly used these confidential materials without authorization to build She Sells Academy.
Damages Claims: Stoitzev seeks monetary damages exceeding $50,000, representing lost business value, lost profits, and compensation for allegedly stolen intellectual property and trade secrets.
The lawsuit also names She Sells Academy LLC as a defendant, suggesting claims that the new entity was built using misappropriated assets from Girl Sales Boss.
Who Are the Parties Involved?
Plaintiff:
- Gueorgui Stoitzev – Miami-Dade County, Florida resident, former business partner in Girl Sales Boss LLC, alleges he developed core business infrastructure, training materials, and operational systems
Defendants:
- Shelby Haas-Sapp – Founder of She Sells Academy, social media influencer with large following, previously co-ran Girl Sales Boss LLC with Stoitzev
- She Sells Academy LLC – Florida limited liability company founded by Sapp, markets itself as the “#1 sales certification and community for women” with thousands of members
- Blake Rocha – Named defendant who filed motion to dismiss, relationship to case unclear from public records
Legal Representatives:
- Plaintiff represented by Joseph A. Demaria and M. Gabriela Palacios, Esq.
- Defendants represented by Jeffrey E. Pomeranz
What Is the Current Case Status After Recent Court Activity?
The case was filed September 12, 2024 in Florida County Courts, Miami-Dade County Courthouse, with case status listed as “Open”. Despite court documents revealing settlement agreement language requiring Sapp to pay $6,500 by October 7, 2024, ongoing docket activity suggests the case has not been dismissed or fully resolved.
Court records show the settlement agreement included provisions that “the Settlement Sum shall be considered in default if not received on the date which the payment is due” and “upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, Plaintiff shall be relieved from the obligation to offer releases.” This suggests if Sapp failed to pay by the October deadline, Stoitzev would be free to continue litigation.
January 2025 court orders denying defense motions indicate active litigation continues. Discovery disputes—battles over what documents and information each side must provide—suggest the parties are still in pre-trial phases gathering evidence.
The case has not proceeded to trial. No final judgment has been entered. Settlement negotiations may be ongoing, but no court-approved settlement has closed the case.
Timeline of Recent Events in the Shelby Sapp Lawsuit
September 12, 2024: Gueorgui Stoitzev filed complaint against Shelby Haas-Sapp and She Sells Academy LLC in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court alleging breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation of trade secrets
September 13, 2024: Complaint officially e-filed with Florida courts
October 7, 2024: Settlement payment deadline according to settlement agreement discovered in court documents (payment status unclear)
January 24, 2025: Court issued Order Denying Motion, indicating defense motion was rejected
February 2025: Electronic summons issued to She Sells Academy LLC; stipulation for substitution of counsel filed
May 2025: Spencer Cornelia YouTube investigation brought case to widespread social media attention, video titled “I Investigated Girl Boss Shelby Sapp’s $10M+ Lawsuit”
November 2025: Case remains open with discovery disputes ongoing; no trial date set
What Do Latest Developments Mean for She Sells Academy?
The ongoing litigation creates potential risks for She Sells Academy’s reputation and operations. Stoitzev’s claims that Sapp built She Sells Academy using allegedly stolen trade secrets and proprietary training methodologies could impact how prospective students view the program’s authenticity and originality.
If Stoitzev prevails on trade secret misappropriation claims, courts could order Sapp to pay significant damages, return intellectual property, or cease using certain training materials. Florida’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act allows for injunctive relief, meaning courts could prohibit use of allegedly stolen methodologies.
She Sells Academy markets itself as “the world’s largest all-women remote sales” community founded by Shelby Sapp’s original expertise. Claims that core training materials originated with Stoitzev could undermine this branding. The program charges tiered membership fees, with students paying for access to training modules, weekly calls, and community support.
Current She Sells Academy students appear largely unaffected by the litigation. The program continues operating normally, with Sapp maintaining an active social media presence defending her business and sharing student success stories. Recent Trustpilot reviews show continued positive feedback from She Sells graduates, with the program maintaining operations despite legal challenges.
How Has Shelby Sapp Responded to the Lawsuit?
Sapp has not issued formal public statements about specific lawsuit allegations. However, she addressed controversy on TikTok, stating in one video: “SHELBY SAPP EXPOSED!!! … how much of an idiot ppl sound when trying to slander my name HAHAHAHA here’s REAL EARNINGS from my students in the last 6 days alone.”
In another TikTok video, Sapp addressed lawsuit speculation indirectly, saying she was planning to discuss “the long awaited lawsuit lore” but decided she “really don’t want to revisit a horrible time in my life in depth,” instead providing “a really zoomed out version of my lawsuit and what lead to it.”
Sapp’s legal team filed motions to stay discovery and motions to dismiss, both standard defense strategies attempting to delay evidence gathering and dismiss claims before trial. The court’s January 2025 denial of these motions means the case will proceed with Sapp required to participate in discovery.
Sapp continues promoting She Sells Academy aggressively on social media, showcasing student earnings, sharing testimonials, and defending her program against critics. Her social media presence remains strong, with millions of TikTok followers and active Instagram engagement.
What Happens Next in This Case?
Discovery will continue, with both sides exchanging documents, answering interrogatories, and potentially conducting depositions of witnesses. Key evidence will likely include:
- Original Girl Sales Boss LLC operating agreements and partnership documents
- Training materials and methodologies developed for Girl Sales Boss
- She Sells Academy training materials and course content
- Email communications between Stoitzev and Sapp regarding business operations
- Financial records showing revenue splits and ownership percentages
- Evidence of trade secret protections (NDAs, confidentiality agreements)
If the case survives summary judgment motions—where either side asks the judge to rule in their favor before trial—it could proceed to trial in 2026. Business partnership and trade secret cases typically take 18-36 months from filing to trial when settlement doesn’t occur.
Settlement negotiations may continue privately. The revealed $6,500 settlement amount appears low given Stoitzev’s claims of multi-million dollar damages, suggesting that agreement may have addressed only partial claims or failed to resolve the dispute entirely.
Stoitzev could seek preliminary injunctions attempting to stop She Sells Academy from using allegedly stolen materials. Such motions would require proving likelihood of success on the merits and irreparable harm from continued use of trade secrets.
How Does This Compare to Other Business Partner Lawsuits?
Business partner disputes frequently arise when companies scale rapidly and original agreements don’t anticipate dramatic growth. Similar high-profile cases include:
Facebook Founding Disputes: Eduardo Saverin sued Mark Zuckerberg claiming dilution of his ownership stake, ultimately settling for several hundred million dollars after litigation revealed partnership tensions during rapid scaling.
Snapchat Co-Founder Case: Reggie Brown sued Snapchat co-founders claiming he originated the disappearing message concept but was pushed out. The case settled for $157.5 million.
Tinder Founding Team Lawsuits: Multiple co-founders sued Match Group claiming they were manipulated into accepting lowball valuations before Tinder exploded, settling for an undisclosed amount.
These cases establish patterns relevant to Stoitzev v. Haas-Sapp: disputes often center on who originated key intellectual property, whether partnership agreements adequately addressed ownership of ideas and systems, and how rapidly scaling companies handle equity splits when social media influence drives growth disproportionately.
The Shelby Sapp case presents unique dynamics where one partner (Stoitzev) allegedly provided operational infrastructure and training development while the other (Sapp) provided social media reach and personal brand value. Courts will evaluate what constitutes protectable trade secrets versus general business know-how, and whether Sapp’s personal brand justified her taking the business model to create She Sells Academy.
Understanding Trade Secret Misappropriation Claims
Florida’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act defines trade secrets as information that derives independent economic value from not being generally known and is subject to reasonable efforts to maintain secrecy. Training methodologies, client databases, and proprietary business processes can qualify as trade secrets if:
- The information provides competitive advantage
- The information isn’t publicly available or easily discoverable
- The business took steps to protect confidentiality (NDAs, restricted access, confidentiality policies)
- The information has actual or potential economic value
Stoitzev must prove Girl Sales Boss’s training materials and business systems meet these criteria and that Sapp improperly acquired, disclosed, or used them for She Sells Academy. Sapp’s defense likely argues the information doesn’t qualify as trade secrets, that she independently developed She Sells Academy methodologies, or that any shared elements represent general industry knowledge available to anyone in sales training.
Misappropriation damages can include actual losses suffered by the plaintiff, unjust enrichment (profits defendants gained from using trade secrets), and in cases of willful misappropriation, punitive damages up to twice the actual damages amount.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Shelby Sapp Lawsuit
What are the latest developments in the Shelby Sapp lawsuit?
The court denied defense motions in January 2025, and the case remains open with ongoing discovery disputes. Court documents reveal a settlement agreement requiring payment of $6,500 by October 7, 2024, but continued litigation suggests the settlement was not fully executed or additional claims remain unresolved. Electronic summons were issued in February 2025, indicating active legal proceedings.
What is Shelby Sapp being sued for?
Gueorgui Stoitzev sued Shelby Haas-Sapp and She Sells Academy LLC for breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation of trade secrets under Florida’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act. Stoitzev alleges he developed core business infrastructure, training materials, and operational systems for Girl Sales Boss LLC, which Sapp allegedly used without authorization to build She Sells Academy.
How much money is involved in the Shelby Sapp lawsuit?
The complaint seeks damages in excess of $50,000, though social media coverage refers to the case as a “$10M+ lawsuit” based on Girl Sales Boss’s reported valuation. Court documents show a settlement agreement for $6,500, far below the claimed damages, suggesting either partial settlement or a rejected offer.
Is She Sells Academy still operating?
Yes. She Sells Academy continues normal operations with active enrollment, training programs, and community support. Recent student reviews on Trustpilot remain positive, and Shelby Sapp maintains an active social media presence promoting the program. The lawsuit has not resulted in business closure or court orders affecting operations.
What is the current status of the case?
The case status is “Open” as of November 2025, with Judge Robert Watson presiding in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court, Florida. No trial date has been set. Discovery disputes continue, with motions filed by both parties. The case has not been dismissed or resolved through court-approved settlement.
Who is Gueorgui Stoitzev?
Gueorgui Stoitzev is a Miami-Dade County, Florida resident who claims he was Shelby Sapp’s business partner in Girl Sales Boss LLC. According to the complaint, Stoitzev was integrally involved in developing the business model, creating proprietary training materials and methodologies, managing client databases and CRM systems, and handling day-to-day operations.
What happens if Shelby Sapp loses the lawsuit?
If Stoitzev prevails, courts could award monetary damages for trade secret misappropriation, lost profits, and breach of fiduciary duty. Courts could also issue injunctions prohibiting She Sells Academy from using allegedly stolen training materials or methodologies. Florida law allows for punitive damages in cases of willful trade secret misappropriation, potentially doubling actual damages awarded.
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Case details, legal claims, settlement terms, and outcomes may change rapidly. All allegations in this case remain unproven, and defendants have denied wrongdoing. Review current case filings independently and contact an attorney for specific questions about this case.
Sources:
- Trellis.Law, Case No. 2024-017537-CA-01, Gueorgui Stoitzev et al. vs Shelby Haas-Sapp et al.
- UniCourt, Florida County Courts Case Docket
- Miami-Dade County Circuit Court Public Records
- YouTube, Spencer Cornelia Investigation, May 2025
- Trustpilot, She Sells by Shelby Sapp Reviews
- TikTok, Public statements by Shelby Sapp
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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