Brad Pitt has filed a request to access private messages from his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, ahead of their trial concerning the French winery, Chateau Miraval.
According to legal documents referenced, Pitt is asking the court to release communications between Jolie and Alexei Olinik from the Story Group, along with a request for Olinik to participate in a deposition.
Pitt claims in a June filing that he’s been trying to meet and collaborate with Olinik on legal issues, but, so far, he’s hit a wall.
Pitt argues that Olinik, who is from Switzerland, has “refused” to engage in legal proceedings because of an assertion that foreigners can’t travel to California for depositions. This seems a bit convoluted, but it emphasizes the difficulty he’s facing. His lawyer mentions that Olinik has indicated there is “no application” needed because Pitt is seeking a deposition in Olinik’s home country.
Jolie and Pitt, who were together for several years, purchased the winery during their relationship. After their split, Jolie sold her shares, which Pitt claims was a “vindictive” move in the context of their contentious divorce.
Pitt’s lawsuit against Jolie over the sale of her shares came about in 2022. In a filing from June 30, he stated that Olinik is essentially acting at the behest of Storri Chief Yurischeffler and is a crucial witness in this matter, particularly regarding significant details about the acquisition.
The judge has yet to rule on this issue.
A source familiar with the situation indicated that this filing isn’t solely about Olinik but rather points to broader issues with the Story Group overall. It seems Pitt feels he has no choice here. There’s talk about how the Story Group might be sidestepping court orders about evidence, complicating things even further.
As it stands, a trial date hasn’t been established yet. Reports suggest that the delays stem from Olinik and the Story Group dodging deposition requests.
Representatives from Pitt, Jolie, and the Stoli Group haven’t responded to requests for comments.
Pitt and Jolie’s romantic journey began in 2004, culminating in marriage a decade later. They separated in 2016 after two years of marriage but took eight years to finalize their divorce in December 2024.
Currently, Pitt is dating Ines de Ramon. Despite moving on, he reportedly still feels regret about the fallout from his relationship with Jolie, especially as it affects their six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Vivienne and Knox. According to a recent source, Pitt’s biggest regret is feeling unable to mend things, making this situation all the more complex for him.
