Floyd Mayweather Jr. built an entire persona around a single nickname: "Money." So there is a certain irony in the news that the undefeated boxing legend is now facing felony charges in Nevada over a check that prosecutors say bounced. The allegation — that he handed a luxury watch dealer a $200,000 check while knowing the account could not cover it — is a textbook example of a charge that looks like a simple retail dispute but can carry serious prison exposure. It is also a charge Texas takes just as seriously, and one we see regularly in Frisco and across DFW.

What Happened

According to documents filed in Clark County, Nevada, and reported by FOX Sports and Complex, prosecutors allege that Mayweather wrote a $200,000 check on December 31, 2024, to a Las Vegas luxury retailer in exchange for an Audemars Piguet watch, and that the account lacked sufficient funds to cover it. He has been charged with two felonies: theft of property valued at more than $100,000 and drawing or passing a check with intent to defraud. As ClickOnDetroit reported, Mayweather's attorneys have characterized the matter as a civil dispute rather than a criminal one.

This article is L & L Law Group's general legal commentary on a national news story. We do not represent anyone involved, we have no inside knowledge of this case, and nothing here is a statement of fact about any individual. Everyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Texas Theft by Check and the Bad Check Statute

In Texas, writing a check you know will not clear can lead to criminal charges under two related theories. Texas Penal Code § 31.06 creates a legal presumption that a person intended to defraud if they issued a check and did not have sufficient funds — and failed to pay within ten days after receiving notice that the check bounced. That presumption is what turns a bounced check from an accounting problem into a potential theft case under Penal Code § 31.03.

The key word is intent. A check that bounces because of an honest mistake, a bank error, or a genuine dispute over whether goods were delivered is not a crime. Prosecutors must prove the person knew the funds were not there and intended to deprive the seller of the property. That is precisely the line Mayweather's attorneys appear to be drawing when they call the matter civil rather than criminal.

How Texas Grades the Offense

Theft in Texas is a "value ladder" — the punishment tracks the dollar amount involved under Penal Code § 31.03(e). A transaction in the $200,000 range would sit near the top of that ladder. Theft of property valued at $150,000 or more but less than $300,000 is a first-degree felony in Texas, punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Even a $30,000-to-$150,000 theft is a second-degree felony carrying two to 20 years. In other words, a bad-check allegation tied to a six-figure purchase is not a slap-on-the-wrist misdemeanor here — it is among the most serious property offenses on the books.

Defenses in a Bad Check Case

The defenses in these cases usually attack intent and notice. A defense lawyer will look at whether the accused actually received statutory notice that the check bounced and had a chance to make it good; whether there was a genuine, documented dispute about the goods or a post-dated arrangement the seller agreed to; whether funds were reasonably expected to arrive; and whether the transaction was, at bottom, a civil debt that the State is trying to criminalize. Restitution — paying the money back — can also play a significant role in how a Texas prosecutor chooses to resolve a case, sometimes opening the door to a dismissal, deferred adjudication, or a reduction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is writing a bad check always a crime in Texas?

No. It becomes criminal only when the State can prove you knew the funds were insufficient and intended to defraud. Honest mistakes, bank errors, and genuine disputes are civil matters, not crimes.

What is the ten-day notice rule?

Under Penal Code § 31.06, if you pay the amount of a bounced check within ten days of receiving proper notice, the law's presumption of intent to defraud generally does not apply. That notice-and-cure window is often central to the defense.

How serious is a six-figure theft charge in Texas?

Very. Theft of $150,000 to $300,000 is a first-degree felony — the same felony level as many violent offenses — with a punishment range of five years to life. Amounts between $30,000 and $150,000 are second-degree felonies.

Can paying the money back make the case go away?

Not automatically, but restitution can strongly influence the outcome. Texas prosecutors have discretion, and a defendant who makes the victim whole may be offered a dismissal, deferred adjudication, or a reduced charge depending on the facts.

How L & L Law Group Can Help

A theft-by-check or fraud allegation can start with what feels like an ordinary purchase and end with a felony record and prison exposure. At L & L Law Group, PLLC, we dig into the intent element, the notice requirements, and any legitimate dispute over the transaction, and we work early with prosecutors on restitution and diversion where it makes sense. If you or a loved one is facing a theft, bad-check, or fraud charge in Frisco, Collin County, or anywhere in the DFW area, call us at (972) 370-5060 for a confidential consultation.

By Reggie London and Njeri London.