A California appeals court ruled that actor Brad Pitt can continue with his lawsuit against Russian magnate Yuri Shefler, owner of the Stoli Group, in the context of the legal dispute over the sale of Angelina Jolie's stake in the French winery Château Miraval. This decision overturns a previous ruling that considered Shefler a passive investor without sufficient involvement in the case.

The former couple, known as “Brangelina,” acquired Château Miraval, a 485-hectare estate in the south of France, in 2008. In 2021, Jolie sold her 50% stake to Russian businessman Yuri Shefler for $64 million, a transaction that triggered a legal battle that has been in court for more than five years. Pitt sued his ex-wife in 2022, alleging that the sale violated an unspoken agreement they had not to sell their interests without each other's consent.

The role of the Russian billionaire

The Court of Appeals determined that Yuri Shefler was not a mere spectator in the transaction. Judge Gail Feuer noted in the ruling that there is “strong evidence that Shefler had the final authority to decide whether negotiations would continue and under what terms.”

Additionally, the court noted that Shefler guaranteed $39 million of the purchase with his own funds, demonstrating his active involvement.

Communications presented during the process reveal that Shefler maintained direct correspondence with Jolie, including letters thanking her for accepting the offer and requesting payment deferrals due to disputes with Pitt. This evidence was key for the court to overturn the initial decision that exempted Shefler from participating in the case.

The protracted litigation brought to light the details of the former couple's stormy divorce. According to court documents, negotiations for the sale of Jolie's stake initially failed because Pitt insisted that she sign a confidentiality agreement that prohibited her from making public allegations of abuse that occurred during their relationship.

These episodes include a 2016 altercation on a private plane, where Jolie claims Pitt physically assaulted her and her children.

Pitt denied these accusations, and his representative stated that Jolie “continues to repeat, modify and reinvent her version of an event that occurred six years ago.”

The road to judgment

This court decision is considered a significant victory for Pitt, as it will allow Shefler and other representatives of the Stoli Group to testify about the details of the acquisition. A source close to the actor declared, according to The Hollywood Reporter, that “this victory represents another step towards transparency about what happened.”

For its part, Jolie's defense has downplayed the ruling, stating that it "has no impact on the merits of the case" and that the actress hopes to win the trial scheduled for next year "so that her family can finally focus their energies on healing and moving forward." The hearing to determine whether Shefler should testify is scheduled for July 8.

The case will continue to develop in court, where the buyers' statements are expected to shed light on one of the most high-profile and protracted legal disputes in Hollywood.