Belfast property developer Peter Curistan is claiming £100 million (€128m) damages in his Belfast High Court action against the former Anglo Irish Bank, he revealed today.
The developer, who built Belfast’s Odyssey entertainment complex before being declared bankrupt and being banned as a company director, is suing for alleged fraud.
It was indicated in court today that his case against the defendant, now known as the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC), is unlikely to go to trial before next May.
Forensic accountants and other expert witnesses are to be enlisted by both sides before the legal battle gets underway.
As well as claiming fraud, Mr Curistan’s writ alleges breach of duty and negligence over the process to find a buyer for his long-term lease in the venue.
The businessman is suing in a personal capacity after previous litigation was brought in the name of Sheridan Millenium, a company he ran before it went into administration in 2011.
Last month Mr Curistan, who developed the Odyssey Pavilion before losing control of it to Anglo, was disqualified from being a company director for six years.
He was also declared bankrupt in 2012.
But he has continued with a series of legal actions involving the bank.
‘Golden Circle’
In one case a High Court judge drew attention to a so-called ‘Golden Circle’ arrangement where the bank loaned ten of its clients €450 million which they then used to buy shares in the bank.
The scheme was said to have been designed to prevent a large number of shares being sold on the open market which would have depressed the bank’s value.
At that stage the judge said the transaction appeared to be “improper and unlawful”.
Papers lodged in the renewed case against Anglo focus on claims around how the bank identified one of its clients as a potential purchaser for the leases in around 2008-09.
It is alleged that the management of the process amounted to a “shadow directorship”.
Other, better placed, potential purchasers were ignored, according to claims against the bank.
‘Complex’
Outside court on Thursday, Mr Curistan said he was delighted the latest action is moving towards trial.
“This will be a very complex case and will involve a significant claim for damages - I will be seeking in the region of £100 million,” he said.
With his writ first issued six years ago, the developer added: “It’s been a long road to get to this stage, and there’s been many diversions from administration of my companies to my bankruptcy and lately director’s disqualification.
“If the trial had gone ahead in a timely manner then those events, in my view, would not have happened and I’m looking forward to getting the evidence before the court.”
