A recent lawsuit alleges that a former high-ranking Disney executive plotted to take over a renowned Napa Valley restaurant owned by the late chef Michael Chiarero.
Rich Frank, who served as president of Disney Studios in the mid-1980s under Jeffrey Katzenberg, is accused of creating a “malicious plan” to seize control of Chiarero’s successful restaurant, Bottega. This establishment has been a favorite among celebrities like Julia Roberts, Sofia Loren, Ryan Seacrest, Carrie Underwood, and David Beckham, according to documents filed in Napa County Superior Court.
Frank and fellow investor John Hansen, both minority stakeholders, announced their acquisition of Bottega in June, describing themselves as Chiarero’s “long-time friends.” However, following Chiarero’s unexpected passing in November 2023 at 61, the lawsuit claims that Frank, Hansen, and another investor, Peter Crowley, met at the restaurant to devise a scheme that excluded Chiarero’s family.
The trio allegedly planned to “scam the real estate, steal the assets, and eliminate their connections” to Chiarero and his family, as outlined in the lawsuit.
Irene Gordon, Chiarero’s widow, expressed disappointment regarding the actions of those he trusted. “We were hoping for cooperation, especially considering Michael’s past treatment of his family,” she stated. She further claimed that they took control of the shares intended for Chiarero’s child and made decisions without consulting the family.
After Chiarero’s sudden demise, the lawsuit contends that the defendants quickly gained control of his three restaurants, including Bottega and others like Ottimo Yountville and the popular Koketa in San Francisco.
Frank is accused of misrepresenting himself as the restaurant’s owner despite being just a minority stakeholder. Court documents reveal that he held a secret meeting to instruct staff to stop selling wine from Chiarero’s family vineyards, which had been a staple of Bottega’s menu for over 15 years, opting instead for wine from Frank Family Vineyards.
Frank sold his winery for $315 million in 2021, with family members maintaining a role in the business. Despite attempts to discuss protecting Chiarero’s legacy, Gordon claims Crowley ignored her in favor of working with Frank and Hansen.
This alleged conspiracy led to Frank offering to buy out Gordon in what the lawsuit describes as a “hostile takeover.” The lawsuit suggests that essential property options for Bottega had expired without proper notice due to withheld documents from investors, facilitating the defendants’ acquisition.
In April 2024, Gordon was told the transaction would conclude, effectively ending her stake in the restaurant. The suit posits that the investors relied on falsified financial information to secure a low purchase price for the establishment.
A legal struggle ensued after Gordon refused the buyout, resulting in arbitration proceedings. The arbitrator sided with Frank and Hansen, leading to their purchase of the restaurant and included valuable intellectual property such as trademarks and recipes.
Frank and Hansen’s legal team asserts that they acted within their rights to acquire Bottega according to its ownership agreement and the arbitrator’s ruling. Meanwhile, Gordon claims that the transfer of Bottega’s intellectual property was affected by the fraudulent actions of the defendants, leading to damages that could potentially increase.
Gordon reminisced about Chiarero’s enduring legacy, emphasizing his commitment to preserving Napa Valley, particularly during the difficult years of wildfires and the pandemic. She highlighted that, in 2023, the restaurant had its best year yet, attributing its success to Chiarero’s dedication to his family’s heritage and his foresight in creating a family trust 15 years prior to ensure business continuity.
