Illinois Gambling Entrepreneur Faces Civil Lawsuit Over Alleged Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault Lawsuit Filed Against Illinois Businessman
An Illinois-based entrepreneur, known for his ventures in the gambling and cannabis industries, is currently facing a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault. The claim involves accusations from a woman who alleges that the businessman sexually assaulted her when they were teenagers over twenty years ago.
Details of the Allegations in Court Documents
According to filings submitted to Cook County Circuit Court on October 21, the plaintiff, referred to as “Jane Doe,” accuses Jeff Rehberger Jr., now aged 38, of assaulting her in July 2005 at a friend’s residence. At the time of the incident, Rehberger was 17 years old and the woman was 15.
The lawsuit points out that the assault has had a lasting impact on Jane Doe’s mental and emotional well-being. She is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for each of five charges, which include assault, battery, and violations of the Illinois Gender Violence Act. Notably, Illinois law allows civil suits regarding child sexual abuse to be filed without any statute of limitations.
The complaint describes a history of abuse beginning when the two met in 2004 while the woman was a freshman in high school. It alleges that Rehberger subjected her to repeated physical and emotional abuse until their separation the following year. The July 2005 incident is claimed to have occurred after a chance meeting at a party, where the plaintiff was allegedly threatened and then attacked.
A Cook County judge granted an order to keep Jane Doe’s identity confidential to protect her mental health, emphasizing the importance of privacy over public disclosure in this case.
Response From Jeff Rehberger Jr.
Jeff Rehberger Jr., through his spokesperson Randy Samborn, has categorically denied all allegations made against him. Samborn described the accusations as false and reiterated that Rehberger intends to vigorously contest them in court.
Rehberger is the founder of Lucky Lincoln Gaming, a company operating approximately 1,500 slot and poker machines throughout Illinois. He also owns Cloud9 Cannabis, which operates multiple marijuana dispensaries in the state, including one in Edwardsville. Additionally, he manages Vast, a private equity firm based in Puerto Rico that invests in real estate, renewable energy, and cryptocurrencies.
His gambling enterprises have faced regulatory scrutiny, with the Illinois Gaming Board previously attempting to revoke Lucky Lincoln’s license over alleged violations related to financial incentives and conflicts of interest. In May 2025, an administrative law judge largely ruled in favor of Lucky Lincoln, leaving only a minor issue unresolved, which the board is expected to address in an upcoming December session.
