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First Brands Sues Founder Patrick James, Alleging Doctored Receivables and Seeking Asset Freeze

The case has become a high-stakes test of opaque private‑credit structures that masked billions in off‑balance‑sheet financing.

Overview

  • Court filings accuse James of misappropriating hundreds of millions of dollars, including more than $700 million transferred to himself or affiliated entities from 2018 to 2025.
  • The lawsuit alleges at least $2.3 billion in liabilities tied to non‑existent or doctored invoices and describes financing through special‑purpose vehicles that double‑pledged collateral.
  • New management has asked a Texas bankruptcy judge to freeze James’ assets, citing urgency and an ongoing independent committee review of off‑balance‑sheet financing.
  • James denies the allegations and plans to contest the asset‑freeze effort, with his lawyers calling the claims unsupported by evidence.
  • Regulatory scrutiny is intensifying, with major outlets reporting a developing Justice Department inquiry, as Chapter 11 proceedings continue with a hearing scheduled for Nov. 6.