Batmasian Asks Judge To Seal Lawsuit

Attorneys for real estate mogul James Batmasian are asking a judge to seal a lawsuit involving Batmasian’s former chief financial officer.

The suit alleges that Batmasian and wife, Marta, committed bank, mortgage and tax fraud. They are hoping to keep the lawsuit and all of its exhibits a secret, according to a Palm Beach County Circuit Court motion filed by attorney George Sigalos of Simon & Sigalos in Boca Raton.

The Batmasians are suing James Baker for allegedly stealing trade secrets. In turn, Baker is suing the Batmasians as a whistleblower for firing him after he says he refused to cooperate in a “financial crimes enterprise,” according to the Palm Beach Post.

In August, Judge Meenu Sasser rejected another attempt by Batmasian to keep information secret. “I’m concerned about making a blanket designation of confidentiality,” Sasser said. “We know that lawsuits are public record.”

The Batmasians are the largest private owners of commercial real estate in the city of Boca Raton, according to the newspaper.

Source:  The Real Deal