An Irish entrepreneur who describes himself as an “heir to chiefship and lordship” is being pursued in Arizona over claims of fraud and deceptive business practices. Antóin Commane (42) is alleged to have induced numerous individuals based in Arizona, California and England to invest their retirement funds and life savings into what they now claim was a “fake” business venture.

In the Arizona lawsuit, Mr Commane has been accused of soliciting investment for Don’t Die Wondering (DDW), which was described as an e-commerce automation “vehicle” in promotional material distributed to prospective investors.

It is understood that investors collectively put in over $500,000 (€448,850) with little to no return.

The plaintiff Emil Corb wants Mr Commane to pay $2m in punitive damages, legal papers seen by the Sunday Independent and filed in a US court show.

When contacted, a lawyer for Commane said his client categorically denied all the allegations made against him and that no findings had been made against him.

Host: Kevin Doyle, Guest: Catherine Sanz

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