Her next pit stop is in a courtroom.
A Colorado socialite known for her love of Porsche-racing — and who just pocketed nearly $30 million in a messy split from her restaurateur husband — allegedly stiffed two contractors out of $4.5 million.
Renee Brinkerhoff, who also snagged half of her ex’s La Loma restaurant chain in their December divorce, was accused in dueling lawsuits from brothers Gene and Clark Atkinson of failing to pay up for construction work tied to the eateries, the Daily Mail reported.
The Atkinsons, longtime family friends, claim Brinkerhoff fired their firm, PAFC, from several restaurant projects in Denver after the split and refused to pay what she owed.
Brinkerhoff, 68, who once raced a 1956 Porsche across all seven continents, fired back with countersuits claiming their work was defective, delayed and based on falsified invoices, the outlet reported.
In his lawsuit, Clark’s is seeking $1 million for a loan he says his company, ISE LLC, gave to the Brinkerhoffs’ business, Water Street Holdings, to keep construction going while the couple’s divorce played out.
Brinkerhoff assumed that debt when she took over the restaurants from her spouse William, Clark Atkinson claimed.
“It’s just wrong for this super wealthy woman who got awarded, from what I understand, close to $30 million in assets with some liability, but she’s refusing to pay,” Clark told The Daily Mail. “She’s living a rich, high life.”
PAFC is owed $3.5 million for construction on La Loma’s Parker and Denver Tech Center locations, Gene Atkinson said in his own lawsuit. He used his own money to keep the projects afloat as the Brinkerhoffs’ marriage collapsed, according to the report.
“For nearly a decade, my family and I have poured our hearts, creativity and financial resources into building some of the most beautiful and remarkable restaurants in Denver,” Gene said. “The idea that [Renee] is struggling financially does not reflect reality.”
She alleged the brothers exaggerated their claims and that Gene was already paid $2.9 million, with the most she could owe being about $732,000.
She finalized her divorce from La Loma founder William Brinkerhoff 10 months ago, securing the $29.5 million settlement.
The $1 million loan was her ex-husband’s responsibility, not hers, Renee Brinkerhoff said, adding the restaurants she received in the divorce carry “significant debt.”
“Sadly, the accusations made against me and my character are patently false and are a purposeful and deliberate mischaracterization of my life and person,” Brinkerhoff told the Daily Mail, adding that PAFC ignored her requests for contracts and accounting records related to the work.
Gene said he was never told of any “supposed defects” and denied falsifying invoices.
The Atkinsons and Brinkerhoff could not be reached for comment.
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