Federal judge allows investors to expand the lawsuit over the $HAWK token, adding Meteora and influencers

Source: Yellow Original Title: Federal Judge Allows Investors to Expand Lawsuit Over $HAWK Token, Adding Meteora and Influencers

Original Link: A federal judge in the Eastern District of New York has granted investors permission to file a significantly expanded lawsuit in the case involving the meme coin HAWK of Solana (SOL), opening the door to new defendants and broader allegations regarding the launch and promotion of the token.

In an order filed on December 17, Judge James R. Cho approved the plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint, allowing the filing of a new version that names additional defendants and introduces multiple new causes of action.

The decision applies to related cases, both centered on claims that the token $HAWK was marketed and sold under false pretenses.

Meteora and influencers added to the case

The amended complaint will for the first time include the liquidity platform Meteora, influencer Haliey Welch, Solana community figure Ben Chow, “Solana Sweeper,” and other individuals allegedly involved in promoting, distributing, or managing the $HAWK token.

Their inclusion marks a notable escalation of the lawsuit, which initially targeted only a subset of people involved in the token’s launch.

Court documents state that these parties played direct roles by facilitating liquidity, coordinating marketing, or making public statements that investors now deem misleading.

New allegations: fraud, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment

The plaintiffs will also add several new legal claims, broadening the scope of the case beyond the original allegations.

The updated causes of action include common law fraud, breach of contract, violations of the New York General Business Law (related to deceptive acts and false advertising), and unjust enrichment.

These additions reflect investors’ stance that the token launch $HAWK and subsequent trading activity involved coordinated conduct that misrepresented the purpose, value, and liquidity structure of the token.

Court documents show an expanded basis for claims

Supporting materials filed with the motion to amend, including internal communications, marketing screenshots, and diagrams related to liquidity, demonstrate the plaintiffs’ efforts to show how the token’s liquidity, marketing statements, and incentive campaigns allegedly contributed to investor losses.

Several exhibits focus on liquidity pool structures and promotional posts linked to the token’s rise and fall.

What does this mean?

The decision does not assess the merits of the allegations but allows the case to proceed with a considerably broader scope.

With more defendants and a wider set of claims, the litigation now covers multiple layers of the Solana ecosystem, including liquidity platforms, influencers, and individuals connected to the token launch.

The amended complaint is expected to be filed as a separate document in accordance with court rules.

Once filed, defendants will have the opportunity to respond or seek dismissal.