California: Actor Brad Pitt has secured a legal victory in his ongoing dispute with former wife Angelina Jolie over the ownership of Chateau Miraval, the French winery they once owned together.
According to a court document obtained by PEOPLE magazine, the Superior Court of California granted a request from Pitt’s legal team seeking depositions from members of the Stoli Group.
Pitt’s lawyers argued that the company and its executives possess important information regarding Jolie’s 2021 sale of her share in the winery to Tenute del Mondo, the wine division of the Stoli Group.
Earlier, Pitt attempted to depose Stoli Group executive Alexey Oliynik, who reportedly declined to provide documents or testify, stating that he could not be compelled because he resides in Switzerland.
The California Court of Appeals also reversed an earlier decision involving Stoli Group owner Yuri Shefler. According to PEOPLE magazine, the court stated, “It defies credulity that Shefler, a sophisticated businessman, would risk almost $40 million on a transaction about which he knew nothing and with which he had no involvement.”
A source close to Pitt told PEOPLE, “This win is another step towards transparency over what took place.” The source also claimed that Shefler “was a partner [Jolie] chose knowing it was a partner Brad did not want involved in the business.”
Responding to the rulings, a lawyer for Jolie said they “have no impact on the merits of the case, and certainly has no impact on Ms. Jolie’s case. At this point, Ms. Jolie is just looking forward to defeating the case at trial next year so that their family can finally focus their energies on healing and moving on.”
A source close to Jolie added, “The truth is that Pitt’s ego and obsession for control got in the way. Brad refused to work with Stoli simply because Angie chose them, not him.”
