Michael Chiarello's estate filed a lawsuit against three former business partners, Richard Frank, John Hansen, and Peter Crowley, claiming they engaged in coercion, fraud, and interference endeavoring to control his restaurant empire posthumously. The complaint alleges they misrepresented ownership, concealed records, and took unauthorized cash payouts. Furthermore, they purportedly lied to employees and landlords, depriving the estate of crucial revenue. The resultant damages are estimated to be at least tens of millions of dollars, with a potential for significantly higher losses. Eileen Gordon, Chiarello's wife, is the estate's trustee.
Chiarello's estate alleges that upon his death, three individuals "immediately and maliciously embarked on a campaign of coercion, fraud, and interference to try to trick, intimidate, and pressure Chef Chiarello's Estate" to surrender his restaurants and related assets to them.
The complaint accuses Frank, Hansen and Crowley of misrepresenting ownership, concealing business records and giving themselves unsanctioned cash payouts from Chiarello's restaurants.
Allegations include lying to employees and landlords and depriving the estate of critical revenue streams as part of a broad effort to financially strain Gordon and her children.
The damages are "estimated to be no less than tens of millions of dollars and is likely much higher."
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