Chapter 22 - Family office goes after Bellacourt
Moretti Family Office considered suing Bellacourt for investigation costs and attempted contract deception.
Bellacourt said:
“No contract award. Pilot fees refunded. Vanessa misrepresented consent.”
Family office claimed:
$410,000 in investigation/audit/legal costs.
Bellacourt countered:
Much of audit would have occurred anyway.
Mediation.
Adrian Voss admitted:
He should have verified Florence’s consent independently.
But argued Bellacourt did not know sibling-interest form was false.
True.
Settlement:
Bellacourt pays family office:
$145,000.
Waives remaining claimed pilot fees.
No three-year contract.
Mutual release of known contract claims.
No admission of intentional fraud by Bellacourt.
Why settle?
Cost.
Control failures.
Reputation.
Then Adrian sent Florence a written apology through counsel.
May you like
She chose not to read.
Fine.
