Celebrity News

Amanresorts battle spreads to NY

The war of words is escalating between entrepreneur Omar Amanat and Russian billionaire Vladimir Doronin after their $358 million partnership to buy the luxury Amanresorts went sour, and their court battle has expanded to New York.

After a London judge ruled this month that Doronin must step down as Amanresorts’ chief executive after trying to push out CEO Adrian Zecha without board approval, the Russian mogul sued in Manhattan Supreme Court, alleging Amanat “forged confirmations” that he had more than $100 million in assets with a firm called FHF Securities to fraudulently “induce Doronin” into the deal.

Amanat has now hired New York lawyer Sal Strazzullo, who told Page Six that Doronin has bullied his client, and “that may be the way they do business in Moscow, but not here.” (Amanat has said in the London case that Doronin warned him: “[If] you tried to screw me, I will hunt you down and shoot you,” The Post reported.)

Doronin is now suing Amanat for fraud and unjust enrichment. Strazzullo added of the impending New York battle, “We have a sworn statement from the CEO of [the brokerage firm] stating that Mr. Amanat had more than sufficient funds…Mr. Doronin’s claims are without merit, starting with the assertion that [Amanat] defrauded him.”

FHF Securities CEO Tom Evans told us he signed letters verifying Amanat had more than $100 million.

“I can verify that I signed the letters in connection with the sale,” he said. “I can also verify there were sufficient funds due and owing to Mr. Amanat’s company.”

Doronin’s team claimed the letters were fakes. Doronin has said, “I look forward to having [Amanat’s] conduct remedied by the courts.”

A source close to him further added of Amanat’s case, “All this bluster doesn’t change that the facts are clearly on Vlad’s side.”

With 26 properties, Amanresorts is known for attracting the ultrarich to far-flung locales including Bora Bora and Bali.

It was just named hotel brand of the year by Travel + Leisure, and Amanat accepted the award in New York. Doronin and Amanat reportedly outbid LVMH for the chain.