Timeline: Ad Populum/Sparkle Pop Lawsuit Against Alliance Entertainment

In January 2025, Diamond Comic Distributors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In the months since, the drama that has come out due to the proceedings has been worthy of an HBO miniseries with bids made, bids rejected, last minute switches, and now accusations of NDAs broken and corporate espionage.

On June 9, 2025, Sparkle Pop, one of the winners of Diamond’s assets, filed a complaint against Alliance Entertainment and asked for a temporary restraining order. Alliance Entertainment was the original winning bidder for Diamond’s assets during the bankruptcy but pulled its bid accusing Diamond and its representatives of fraud.

Sparkle Pop has accused Alliance of breaking its NDAs, poaching Diamond employees, and stealing corporate secrets it learned during its bid for Diamond.

This timeline will be regularly updated with key moments in the legal trial as well as supporting documents as well as summaries of important, and at times salacious, details revealed.

Documents

  1. Sparkle Pop’s complaint against Alliance Entertainment
  2. Sparkle Pop’s Motions for a Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction
  3. Joel Weinshanker submits a declaration in support of Sparkle Pop
  4. Charles Parker submits a declaration in support of Sparkle Pop
  5. Sparkle Pop motions to file certain exhibits under seal
  6. Jonathan Gary Rose files a restricted document for motion to seal highlighting an NDA
  7. Jonathan Gary Rose files a restricted document for motion to seal highlighting a Cease-and-Desist Letter and Exit Interviews
  8. Alliance Entertainment files opposition to the restraining order requested by Sparkle Pop
  9. Alliance files another motion to seal an exhibit
  10. Diamond asks to intervene in the case
  11. Evidentiary Hearing Held
  12. Sparkle Pop withdraws a document regarding its motion for a Temporary Restraining Order
  13. Sparkle Pop’s motion to seal exhibits is denied
  14. Alliance’s motion to seal exhibits is denied
  15. Sparkle Pop withdraws Joel Weinshanker and Charles Parker’s declarations
  16. A new Declaration by Joel Wienshanker is submitted
  17. A new Declaration by Charles Parker is submitted
  18. Alliance Entertainment submits a declaration by Bruce Ogilvje
  19. Alliance attempts to dismiss the lawsuit by Sparkle Pop
  20. Sparkle Pop amends its complaint against Alliance Entertainment
  21. Alliance’s attempt to dismiss the lawsuit by Sparkle Pop is Denied