Sept. 14–Lawsuits and fallout from international crime investigations have intensified a battle for control of the Crowne Plaza Universal hotel.
Legal disputes over the hotel at 7800 Universal Blvd. now include a request for a U.S. court-appointed receiver to take over, and an accusation that one of the shareholders solicited a prostitute on the hotel property.
Miami businessman Zilbert Zanchet, a minority shareholder, filed suit in Orange County Circuit Court on Sept. 4 to wrest control away from the hotel’s current administrator, Brazilian judicial appointee Francisco Bomfim.
Although open for business, the hotel ownership is caught up in the downfall of Brazilian businessman Jo?o Arcanjo Ribeiro, the majority shareholder, who was convicted of money laundering and murder plots in Brazil. Bomfim was appointed in Brazil to oversee Ribeiro’s businesses.
But that’s only part of the legal war between the shareholders. In 2013, lawyers for the hotel company filed suit to have Zanchet barred from the hotel property, citing Zanchet’s arrest in 2010 on a charge of soliciting a prostitute at the hotel. That suit is still pending.
Zanchet was accused of offering to pay an undercover police officer at the hotel $50 for sex. His attorney, Eric Ludwig, said the solicitation charge was dismissed after Zanchet agreed to a diversion or counseling program. Bomfim kicked Zanchet off the board of directors and hasn’t allowed him to review financials, Ludwig said.
Zanchet’s lawsuit alleges the hotel ownership company is in danger of having its assets “stripped and sent back to Brazil” due to Bomfim’s control. Bomfim’s attorney, Bradford Patrick at ELP Global, said Bomfim declines to comment on the suit.
According to Zanchet’s lawsuit, Ribeiro took out up to $23 million in questionable loans in the name of the hotel company. The suit accuses Bomfim of legitimizing the bad loans, converting them to equity, and reducing Zanchet’s stake. Zanchet hopes a new receiver will reexamine the debt.
Kissimmee closure
Salvador Construction, founded in 1986 by Salvador Giron, closed its doors and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The company built a lot of local projects, including Orlando Fire Station No. 7, an Aldi’s Supermarket, Hard Rock Orlando, and several schools.
Bankruptcy attorney Luis Vega said problems began in the recession and continued with three foreclosures by Fifth Third Bank.
Greenspoon addition
Winter Park city attorney Larry Usher Brown has switched law firms, leaving the firm that bore his name and taking four other attorneys with him. Brown joined the Orlando office of statewide law firm Greenspoon Marder, leaving behind the former Brown, Garganese, Weiss & D’Agresta firm. His former firm has dropped his name from the title. Brown focuses on government law, and also represents the Osceola County School Board.
pbrinkmann@tribune.com or 407-420-5660
