GT targets Madoff yacht after court win
Grant Thornton says it will work alongside US liquidators after winning approval from the US Bankruptcy Court to go after assets
Liquidators from Grant Thornton have scored a key victory in the US courts
after a judge gave them a legal green light to go after the assets of convicted
fraudster Bernard Madoff.
Madoff used cash funnelled through UK-based Madoff Securities International
Limited to buy a vintage Aston Martin and now the liquidators are going after a
27-metre yacht located in France.
There was believed to be some tension between the British liquidators and the
US Trustee Irving Picard, but the firm said it will work alongside him after the
court win.
The firm said in a statement: ‘The Joint Provisional Liquidators of Madoff
Securities International Limited obtained formal recognition in the United
States Bankruptcy Court, allowing them to work in direct coordination with the
Trustee of Bernard Madoff Securities Limited.’
Chapter 15 of the US Bankruptcy Code permits foreign liquidators to have
their proceedings recognized and to obtain the assistance of the US courts in
carrying out their activities.
The US Bankruptcy Court also approved GT protocols agreed with the liquidator
which would guide their cooperation going forward.
Steve Akers, joint liquidator, added: ‘We assisted the US Trustee to obtain
recognition in England and now we have worked together for reciprocal
cooperation in the United States. This is a positive step for creditors.’
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liquidators in court battle for Madoff assets