A federal bankruptcy judge has told David Bergstein and Ron Tutor, in essence, we have ways of making you talk.
Both men have been ordered to give depositions in the five involuntary bankruptcy cases involving Bergstein-run companies. Bergstein's various creditors filed suit in March in an attempt to force him into Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
On Tuesday, Bergstein, his bookkeeper, Frymi Biedak, and construction magnate Tutor also were ordered by Judge Barry Russell to divulge information on who is paying their legal fees.
According to Variety, Bergstein lawyer Mitchell Silberberg called the order an "effort to leverage the lawyers against the debtors."
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Russell told the parties to submit all documents requested and provide depositions under oath to the trustee he appointed, Ronald Durkin. The judge also said they must make their business and personal computers available for examination.
Judge Russell threatened the three with contempt-of-court charges if they fail to comply with his order.
Examination of Tutor is set for July 27, according to Variety, with Bergstein up on Aug. 3; Biedak has until July 30 to make files available from her office computer and be deposed.
Separately, actor Rob Lowe confirmed to Zap2It that he is involved in Tutor's bid to buy Miramax.
"We are right now in very heavy negotiating with Disney," Lowe told Zap2It, "and we're governed by all these nondisclosures, so really all I can say it's that it's real, it's on, it's happening. I think it's going to close, and it's going to be really, really exciting."
Lowe spoke from the set of Showtime's "Californication," where he's shooting a guest arc.
