LINCOLN PARK — Richard Duffy, the majority owner of The Blanchard, has filed a lawsuit against the restaurant's executive chef and minority owner for allegedly stealing $548,000 of the restaurant's money and spending it on shopping trips to Barney's of New York and Prada and nearly 600 separate tabs at one Lakeview bar, among other personal expenses.
Duffy, who owns 66.4 percent of the restaurant, alleges that Jason Paskewitz, who owns 29.2 percent, mismanaged funds by mixing together the restaurant's checking and savings accounts with his own personal account and spent $548,907.86 of the restaurant's money between July 1, 2013 and August 31 of this year, according to the eight-count lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court Wednesday.
Duffy alleges Paskewitz spent $61,478.78 on personal items at Barney's of New York, Bloomingdale's, Sports Authority, My Vets Animal Hospital, Chicago Children's Museum, Prada, Trunk Club and 578 separate charges at the Lakeview bar Monsignor Murphy's.
Other questionable transactions include checks written to Paskewitz, his wife, his ex-wife and babysitter, totaling $161,972.
Because of the mismanagement, Duffy said The Blanchard, 1935 N. Lincoln Park West, now owes more than $80,000 in state and local taxes, which he said the restaurant cannot afford to pay, according to the suit.
Duffy is seeking an injunction that would give him control of the restaurant's finances and prohibit Paskewitz from signing checks, transferring money and bookkeeping.
Paskewitz's attorney, David Shapiro of Bronson & Kahn, didn't return a message Friday afternoon.
Since opening in June of 2015, the upscale French restaurant has quickly garnered high critical praise and awards, including Best New Restaurant title from the Tribune, Chicago Magazine and the Jean Banchet Awards.
Crain's was first to report on the lawsuit.
Read the lawsuit below:
The Blanchard Lawsuit by Mina Bloom on Scribd
