Netflix star Julia Haart has “dirt” on her hands, according to a judge who ruled she is not an equal owner of her estranged husband’s business.
The reality show star “My Unorthodox Life” had argued that she owned half of Elite World Group’s parent company, Freedom Holding Inc. — which is why her resignation as CEO of EWG was invalid.
Haart, the former creative director of La Perla, filed for divorce from Italian billionaire Silvio Scaglia hours after her resignation in February, later calling him a “liar and a con man” who owed her millions for her share in Freedom.
The full behind-the-scenes battle is detailed in a recently released 52-page op-ed by Vice Chancellor Morgan T. Zurn of Delaware’s Chancery Court, in which Zurn details Scaglia’s attempt to maintain control of Elite World Group – despite being publicly said he and Haart were equal partners. In fact, according to the advisory, Scaglia had transferred only 49.9995957% — or half a share less than 50% — of the company’s preferred stock, thus retaining control of EWG.
Responding to Haart’s initial claims that Scaglia has “unclean hands” — a legal argument that he has engaged in unlawful conduct that should prevent him from winning the lawsuit — Zurn wrote that “looking at the litigants’ hands dirty Haart’s reveals.”
In the end, the court ruled that: “Her does not own fifty percent of Freedom’s preferred stock” and that she was “powerless” to stop Freedom from firing her.
The TV star’s attorney, Christopher Milito, told Vidak For Congress on Monday: “If Julia Haart has her hands dirty, it’s because of her years of work to improve the company her husband is trying to steal from her.”
In April, Haart, 51, said on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” that her estranged husband, 63, should not “fire” her.
“He couldn’t fire me because we own the company together,” she said.
But despite the 51-year-old brunette claiming to have been caught off guard by Scaglia’s actions, the judge added that “by January 2021, she knew she owned less than 50% of Freedom’s preferred stock” because she had collected company records. for a possible divorce.
Zurn also pointed to Haart’s efforts to pressure Scaglia’s corporate accountant Jeffrey Fineman to “argue that she owned half of Freedom”.
“Hart continued to lean on Feinman after this process began,” Zurn added. “When Feinman complained about unpaid bills that Haart owed, Haart replied, ‘Do you want to get paid? Plz help me help you! I can’t pay you without the truth coming out first and being recognized as a 50% owner who knows you better than anyone I am.’”
Peter A. Bicks, of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe and lead attorney for Scaglia, told Vidak For Congress: “We are delighted that after seeing Mr Scaglia testify live, the judge found him credible and that, in stark contrast, Ms Haart determined to “get her hands dirty” for making up the truth in public court about her shareholding in Freedom. We are grateful that the court made it clear that Mr. Scaglia is in control of Freedom, the owner of EWG, and that Ms Haart’s termination was completely lawful.”
Marty Singer, another of Haart’s attorneys, said the judge’s ruling acknowledges “the existence of a document signed by Mr. Scalia confirming his agreement to transfer 49.9995957% of the preferred or voting shares. to Mrs. Hart.”
While Milito added, “Ms. Haart disagrees with the final decision and is appealing it. But in the event that it persists, it will be the final piece of evidence proving Scaglia’s fraud against his wife, fraud for which Ms. Haart is already seeking redress in the New York State Supreme Court.”