Receiver takes control of Michael Rutherford’s assets
Michael Rutherford’s lawsuit against Pruvit has hit a potential roadblock.
On April 25th a court-appointed receiver filed a “Suggestion of Receivership” on the Rutherford v. Pruvit case-docket.
Attached was a Receivership Order, issued in a Denton County court case on April 23rd.
The Receivership case in question is Theresa Leilani Noel v. Michael Branden Rutherford (right).
Unfortunately due to how public access of state-level court-cases is in Texas, I don’t have details of the case. I can see the case docket however, revealing the case was filed on April 15th, 2025.
On April 23rd Final Judgment of what appears to be a foreign judgment was rendered, appointing a Receiver in the process.
From the April 23rd Final Judgment order;
The Court considered the Application for Post-Judgment Turnover and Appointment of Receiver (“Application”) filed by Plaintiff.
The Court entered a final judgment in the amount of $542,606 principal monetary award, plus interest and costs, against Michael Branden Rutherford (“Defendant”).
The judgment remains not fully paid. Based on the entire record, including the Application and evidence attached that is admitted in support of the Application, the Court finds that the Application should be granted.
As above, Rutherford has been ordered to pay Theresa Leilani Noel $542,606.
Who is Theresa Leilani Noel? No idea. But she’s probably related to Rutherford’s fiance, Keisha Leilani.
Update 6th June 2025 – A BehindMLM reader in the comments below states Theresa Leilani Noel is Rutherford’s ex-wife. /end update
This is from Keisha Leilani’s FaceBook page on January 2nd;
So glad to be putting 2024 behind me.
In 2024 I was lied too, rejected, backstabbed, and wrongly accused of things and dealt with more legal proceedings one could imagine.
Also, this year, some friends who were like family to us aren’t close anymore, which feels a bit like losing family. It’s really sad, but I believe it’s part of God’s plan.
And on January 6th;
As the new year hit I have started to really reassess my relationships that were once a good fit, but are no longer aligned with my core values, beliefs and goals in life.
As I am saying goodbye to these old ties, I feel a lot of weight lifted off my shoulders, just like shedding that old jacket.
Sometimes, letting go of the old makes room for the new. If a relationship in your business or personal life feels like that tight old jacket, maybe it’s time to let it go.
Absent case filings, make of that what you will.
Rutherford’s Receivership has been put in charge of “non-exempt property”. Effective April 23rd, the Receiver
has the authority to take possession of all of [Rutherford’s] nonexempt property, sell it, and pay the proceeds to the judgment creditor to the extent required to satisfy the judgment.
“Non-exempt property” also includes Rutherford’s stake in his Rutherford v. Pruvit lawsuit.
The entry of this Order creates a receivership estate wherein all of Defendant’s non-exempt property – including but not limited to all of Defendant’s rights, remedies, monetary claims, demands, choses in action, causes of action, and the like asserted in … (Michael Rutherford, et al. v. PRUVIT VENTURES, INC., et al.) – shall be held in custodia legis by the receivership as of the date of this Order.
If I’m understanding correctly, Rutherford’s Pruvit lawsuit is now in the hands of the court-appointed Receiver. Not sure how that will play out but I guess we’ll find out when the Receiver starts making filings in the case.
Rutherford filed a motion seeking to “stay enforcement” of the Receivership taking control of his assets on April 29th. A hearing on the motion is set for June 11th.
About the only time I followed Mike Rutherford very closely was 2013-14’s Rippln debacle. He was such a smarmy little cheese eater but he kept as many lemmings as possible circling down Rippln’s financial drain for as long as possible that he earned position of privilege in Brian Underwood’s next MLM venture Pruvit.
Details of that position and the privilege that came with it aren’t yet fully in view if they ever will be but there is no doubt that Rutherford’s downline was artificially inflated not only to Mike’s benefit but Brian Underwood’s as well.
After all Mike was paying kickbacks to Brian on the downline volume Brian was skimming off the top for him. That deal worked well enough for both of them until it didn’t, hence a lawsuit that will be a shame someone has to win.
I weep not a tear for Michael Rutherford’s legal travails. The man has told more lies to part more people from more hard earned money than many in his position.
My regret, if I have one is that Brian Underwood is not facing as much if not more scrutiny for being the more senior partner in crime.
That judgement against Michael is from his ex wife (Theresa Leilani Noel). He’s owed this to her for years.
So Keisha Leilani and Theresa Leilani Noel naming is just a coincidence?
Yes just a random coincidence. Those are both their middle names actually. Keisha’s last name is O’Neal.
Thanks. I’ll update the article.