BALTIMORE — Claudia Engelhorn, the heir of a prominent German pharmaceutical magnate, is embroiled in a legal dispute, alleging that her former attorney swindled her out of $10 million. Engelhorn claims that Erik Bolog falsely presented the payment as a gift for his legal services, with her previous law firm failing to intervene amidst the situation.
The legal battles began when Engelhorn initiated litigation against Bolog and his former employer, Whiteford, Taylor & Preston. At the heart of the conflict is Bolog’s assertion that the payment was a voluntary gift meant to express gratitude for his support in securing a $130 million court victory during the pandemic in Monaco and Switzerland.
Bolog’s defense relies on a signed document in which Engelhorn purportedly states that she insisted on the payment independently. In court filings, he accuses her of becoming hostile after he admonished her for a racially charged comment she allegedly made during a restaurant outing. He contends that her statement to a Black family, suggesting it was “nice they were allowed to eat in restaurants,” was insensitive and discriminatory.
Engelhorn’s legal representative, Tony Williams, contends that she was manipulated into signing the paperwork while vacationing in Cape Cod. Williams refutes Bolog’s claims about her controversial remark, labeling them “absolutely false.” In a communication to Bolog presented in court documents, Engelhorn referred to Bolog’s interpretation of her remarks as “an alcohol-induced statement for your benefit.”
According to Williams, Engelhorn’s status on the autism spectrum made her particularly vulnerable in financial matters. He described her as a devoted family member rather than a sophisticated investor. Bolog, however, counters this portrayal, arguing that Engelhorn is a savvy businesswoman well aware of the implications of her financial decisions.
Bolog’s previous firm, Whiteford, denies any involvement in the circumstances leading to the alleged fraud, asserting that Bolog was terminated in May 2023 due to various concerns, including expense accounting. Engelhorn’s lawsuit claims that members of the firm were complicit in Bolog’s actions, pointing to billing records that indicate some lawyers knew about the deceptive transaction.
The firm has stated that those involved had initially believed Engelhorn intended to make a much smaller gift to a staff member, claiming Bolog manipulated the documents for his gain. The firm has not issued further comments regarding the ongoing litigation.
Curt Engelhorn, Claudia’s father, was the head of a pharmaceutical company sold to Roche in 1997 for an estimated $11 billion. Bolog has alleged that Engelhorn is a “life trustee” of the Mannheim Trust, which purportedly provides her with an annual payout of $1 million and has loaned her $30 million. However, Williams disputes Bolog’s claims about her financial status, stating that the trust’s significant funds have been divided among her children, leaving Engelhorn with fewer resources.
Bolog, who recently relocated to California for plaintiff-side litigation, has a complex legal history. This includes controversial cases in the late 1990s and ongoing claims involving past gambling debts, which he alleges have been resolved.
Meanwhile, Engelhorn has faced her own legal challenges, including a failed attempt to extricate herself from a deal involving a preacher and a Florida property. Both parties remain in a contentious standoff as the lawsuit unfolds, with no comments from Engelhorn or Bolog.
The case, filed last September in Baltimore, has drawn attention for its high-stakes claims and dramatic allegations.
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