On September 20, 2023, Charlotte Gainsbourg inaugurated the opening of 5 bis rue de Verneuil, the emblematic house where her father, Serge Gainsbourg, lived for more than 20 years.
Since then, visitors have flocked to explore the artist’s lair. However, these entries are not enough to pay off the colossal debts that have accumulated.
Between unpaid invoices, chaotic management and numerous tensions between partners: Maison Gainsbourg was finally placed in legal recovery due to cessation of payments since August 9.
Charlotte Gainsbourg and Dominique Dutreix at war
In March 2023, the courts were seized to arbitrate a conflict between Charlotte Gainsbourg and Dominique Dutreix, real estate developer via her company Coffim. In December 2019, the two parties concluded a “partnership agreement“, stipulating that Jane Birkin’s daughter would not provide “no guarantee” in obtaining the bank loans necessary for the development work and expenses related to the operation of the house and the museum.
The SEHPSGA counted on “associate current accounts set up exclusively by Dominique Dutreix“to ensure the stability of its working capital. The latter had undertaken to request their reimbursement”when companies will be profitable”.
From 2022, however, the court pointed out of the “disputed samples” of more than 482,000 euros carried out by Mr. Dutreix, in his dual capacity as president of Coffim and manager of SEHPSGA, “without the slightest notification“, in flagrant violation of the commercial code. These irregular transactions have plunged the finances into a critical situation.
The SEHPSGA, “despite bank debt of 3.5 million eurosshows a supplier debt of 1.6 million euros“, indicates the commercial court, according to information from The Informed relayed by our colleagues from Purepeople.
During the procedure, Dominique Dutreix contested certain debts, claimed to be able to obtain new financing and criticized the lack of clarity of the partnership agreement. The court, judging this document “perfectly clear“, however sentenced him on March 28 to repay approximately 1.5 million euros to the operating company, an amount close to the short-term debts which led to the cessation of payments.
Justice rules in favor of the actress
This Thursday, December 19, 2024, still according to The Informed, the Paris Court of Appeal has, once again, ruled in favor of Charlotte Gainsbourg.
“In a judgment rendered on December 19, 2024, which we were able to consult, the court ordered Dominique Dutreix to pay nearly one million euros into the establishment’s coffers. It thus confirms an order made by the commercial court in March, however revising the amount downwards (it was 1.5 million euros at first instance)“, indicates the media.
“In detail, the businessman must repay 482,000 euros for irregular withdrawals made from the Maison Gainsbourg accounts, and add 505,000 euros for the advances he had promised in the partnership agreement with Charlotte Gainsbourg established in 2019“. Good news for the actress! But be careful… the legal battle is probably not over yet.
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