90 Day Fiancé star Ben Rathbun blew off a lawsuit over an alleged massive credit card debt in the years before his tragic death due to cancer, In Touch can exclusively report.

According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Ben was sued by American Express National Bank on April 2, 2023, in North Carolina court.

Ben died on Monday, May 19, at the age of 55 at his home in Greencastle, Indiana.

TMZ reported the reality star had been fighting stage 4 stomach cancer. Ben, who was diagnosed in 2024, was surrounded by his family when he passed.

The news was first reported by blogger, shabootydotcom, who reported Ben’s wife, , was with Ben when he died.

In the lawsuit filed by American Express, the company claimed Ben had opened a credit account with a $10,000 limit and agreed to pay for all purchases.

“The defendant has/have breached the repayment terms of said agreement and is indebted to [American Express] in the amount of $11,679.68,” the suit read.

A default judgment was entered on May 31, 2023, after Ben failed to respond to the case. Ben moved in North Carolina, where the case was filed, in 2022.

According to a press release dated December 3, 2022, Ben took over as director of the Union Mission of Roanoke Rapids, after moving from the Detroit area.

The press release stated, “[Ben] previously served as executive director of the Michigan Lupus Foundation for the past seven years and before that was the lead pastor for 14 years of Gospel Life Church in Madison Heights, Michigan.”

The release continued, “Rathbun comes to this charity with 30 years of nonprofit experience and with a heart for those in need. His vision is to continue and expand the effective work of feeding the community and helping those who are striving for victory over addictions and for men and women who are seeking self-sustained independence.”

The move came months after Ben’s former employer, the Michigan Lupus Foundation, announced the reality star had been fired from his position at the job.

On March 30, 2022, the Michigan Lupus Foundation said on social media, “Effective immediately, Ben Rathbun is no longer an employee.

Ben spoke to In Touch about the firing and said it would “serve to humble me and allow greater growth in me as a person.”

He added, “Anything that would distract us from accomplishing the mission of our charity should be dealt with appropriately. I had become a major distraction, and I know this process, while painful, is the best course of action. [This] will eventually lead me to another place of service that [I] can use my talents to help people.”

As In Touch previously reported last year, Ben was arrested and faced charges which alleged he embezzled money while working at the Michigan Lupus Foundation. Ben was released from jail after posting a $10,000 bond.

He faced a charge of embezzling between $1,000 to $20,000.

Ben became a household name in the reality television world after his appearance on season 5 of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days in 2021. On the season, viewers were introduced to Ben and his girlfriend, Mahogany.

The couple, who had a three-decade age gap, met online. Ben stood by Mahogany even when his own family and friends suggested she may be a catfish. Mahogany ended up not being a catfish, and they eventually wed.