A derivative suit filed Tuesday in Delaware federal court accused the directors of Skechers USA Inc. of hiding skyrocketing operational costs from investors at a time when the company was experiencing rapid growth in international sales.

Stockholder Kathleen Houseman said in a 48-page complaint that the shoemaker’s board told investors in late 2017 that the company had slowed a yearlong trend where selling, general and administrative expenses regularly outpaced its net sales growth. At the time, Skechers, which is based in Manhattan Beach, California, was seeing a significant uptick in sales abroad, particularly in China, and directors repeatedly assured analysts and investors that the company was returning to “leverage” on the expenses, which include all operating costs not directly tied to the cost of goods sold.