It’s always nice to be able to count on someone when you may need a helping hand but what if your the hand that helps and then you get caught up in their mess. That’s what’s currently occurring to Will Smith.

Unsealed court documents revealed by The Blast that Will Smith was skeptical of lending fellow actor and friend Duane Martin money over it becoming a possible public relations nightmare.

Duane asked Will for $1.4 million to save his home from foreclosure in 2012, Will and his team feared if they loaned the money to Duane as he requested, it could turn into a “PR nightmare” for Will, specifically if anyone found out he was associated with such a transaction.

Emails from 2012 when Duane needed the money show at one point, Will discussed buying Duane a home and letting him live rent free for a bit.

Will got his team involved in trying to put a $1.4 million loan together but unsealed court documents reveal it was “chaotic.” Duane pressured his friend for the loan and even had to be warned by Will’s team that while Will wanted to help, he didn’t want to put himself in any unnecessary risk.

Will’s team began expressing concerns about how Duane wanted the loan structured, with his team worrying about the “questionable structure of the transaction.”

The docs note Will eventually did loan Duane $1.4 million to prevent this home from foreclosure. 

Duane tried to sell the home in 2018 and reached out to Will and his team again. Will’s team suggested that Duane sell the home and repay Will and then lease a pad for one year.

As of July 2018, private emails show Will directing his team to wrap up all outstanding issues with Duane. He wrote one of his advisors, “The point is to SIMULTANEOUSLY Get the books cleared while Helping Shake transition.” Will uses “Shake” as a nickname for Duane

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