The BIA re-opened proceedings in Malaysia and the Cayman Islands, resulting in the BIA gaining control over the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles and The New York Palace Hotel in Manhattan. In Brunei, he built a school and a hospital, as well as a huge hotel complex and amusement park, and introduced satellite TV and his favorite London radio station. Sports career [ edit ] There was no mention of the fabulous art and jewelry collections they believed he had acquired. The jury awarded Zaman and Derbyshire $21 million in back wages and damages and allowed the couple to walk away not only with their money but also with their reputations intact. Numerous acts of theft and deception, self-dealing, embezzlement and fraud, all designed to benefit themselves and their family members, read the princes original complaint, filed in federal court in December 2006. by Brunei Shell were greatly reduced. The words Faithless servants do not do justice to the scope of their perfidy, read Prince Jefris complaint. Caught in a feud between the prince and the sultan, they ended up in a court battle over $23 million. "The proceedings between the Brunei Investment Agency and HRH Prince Jefri Bolkiah came to an end in 2014 when the Investment Agency acknowledged that he had complied with all the terms of the . The plaintiff, Prince Jefri Bolkiah, Bruneis notorious royal playboy, who has probably gone through more cash than any other human being on earth, tried to convince the jury that he was extremely nave when it came to financial matters. Prince Jefri did not risk visiting London where he owns St John's Lodge, a spectacular mansion hidden behind huge gates on the Inner Circle of Regent's Park, bought in 1994 for 40 million. [3] Prince Jefri was the finance minister of his oil-rich country from 1986 to 1997. Dayang Siti Mariam binti Awang Muhammad Aqil, 17. "You could imagine her in that lifestyle. Born on 6 November 1954 in Malaysia, Jefri Bolkiah, Prince of Brunei started his career as royal . Her parents ran the 4 Square franchise at the Moturoa Dairy in New Plymouth. He has been raised to preside over things as a prince. [6] His personal holdings included a huge art collection, the British jeweller Asprey, the New York Palace Hotel, Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles and Plaza Athne in Paris. Zaman, meanwhile, claimed that the two boxes contained personal effects, most notably an urn holding the ashes of her unborn son, whom she had lost to a miscarriage during her time in the princes employ. (Prince Jefris lawsuit claimed that it was Zaman and Derbyshire, not he, who suggested they be given power of attorney in order to work most effectively on his behalf. (According to Stewart, the prince sent Derbyshire to sell the artwork, which had been a wedding gift to Claire Kelly.). ; : Hassanal Bolkiah: : 1946715 76 : : : : : : : Royal Military Academy SandhurstVictoria InstitutionSultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College But today the Herald on Sunday can reveal fresh information about Kelly's Kiwi beginnings. The fight with his brother had escalated from a legal battle to a personal war. The contempt proceeding was scheduled for a hearing in June 2008, but the Prince did not attend, instead going to Paris. In repossessing the Brunei properties of Jefri and his family, the sultan had finally gotten the upper hand. The eldest son of Sultan . . INSATIABLE: Prince Jefri of Brunei (above) bedded but later tired of Jillian Lauren, one of 40 women in his harem. Then he didnt return, says Zaman. In particular, we were concerned that documents which might exculpate us from any future allegations of wrongdoing might simply disappear, Derbyshire wrote in an affidavit. Published on January 25, 2023 03:47 PM. [37] The pair had worked for Prince Jefri since 2004, were given authority over a number of the Prince's companies, and were accused of using proceeds from property sales for their own benefit and charging personal expenses to corporate credit cards. suspicion. I dont think any of the parties are really innocent, actually, one juror told me. In order to give them full and absolute authority to act on his behalf, the prince granted them power of attorney. But when he wanted to ask me a question, he prompted Micha, and Micha would ask me the question., At the first meeting with Mr. Derbyshire and Ms. Zaman at St. Johns Lodge, Jay [Maggistro] and I explained the difficulties I was having with the B.I.A., with Joe Hage [Jefris previous attorney] and The New York Palace Hotel, Jefri wrote in an affidavit. Whenever the prince and his posse were on their way to the disco, a mirrored ball would drop from the ceiling, signaling the women to start dancing. [28], The BIA also re-opened collateral litigation in the British High Court. If the jury found for the prince, the attorneys representing him would seize everything they owned. Prince Bahar, also known as Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Bahar, is the son of the Sultan's younger brother, Prince Jefri . Once the funding stopped, A.D.C. Geoffrey Stewart says Zaman and Derbyshire pushed Jefri to sell the hotels and set up dummy corporations to hold the money, from which Zaman would receive a commission. Jefri was soon told by the assistant to the managing director that Ms. maintained that there never was a finalized lifestyle agreement, and a British court agreed. Y.M Puan Salma binti Abdullah, ne Claire Kelly (k.2003-c.) Anakanda: YAM Pengiran Muda Abdul Hakeem YAM Pengiran Muda Haji Bahar I met Prince Jefri today, Derbyshire told his 27-year-old fiance, Faith Zaman, who had recently been laid off from a job at an investment bank. He is 24 years old now. (In 2006, the case was decided against Jefri and in favor of the B.I.A.). In late April 2008, a New York court officially transferred control of what was believed to be Prince Jefris last major asset, the New York Palace, to the B.I.A. Prince Jefri cemented his playboy status with a massive spending spree during his time as Finance Minister of Brunei from 1986 to 1998. Prince Mohamed launched what Jefri would call an attack, a palace coup, against him. ), which manages the countrys vast oil revenues. [38] However, they contended no money was taken and all the contested purchases were for the use of the Prince and his family,[39] and counter-sued for US$12 million they claim they were owed. wasnt just insolventit was, the investigators claimed, more than $590 million in debt. She's the daughter of billionaire Prince Jefri Bolkiah, brother of the current Sultan of Brunei . Frustrated over still being unable to get full disclosure of his assets, the B.I.A. I hope you intend to pay me the fees weve agreed, replied Derbyshire. So you can never be satisfied that this is right. Jefri Bolkiah was born in Brunei Town, Brunei on November 6, 1954.. On Popular Bio, Jefri Bolkiah is one of the successful Royalty. Zaman goes through a list of costly items: $140,000 in flights Princes Hakeem and Bahar charged on her credit card after getting it from her assistant without her knowledge (according to Stewart, Hakeen and Bahar didnt know Faith had a credit card. and the sultan and place the funds in his secret accounts in order to support his exorbitant lifestyle and pay his far-flung lawyers. He was [Bruneis] finance minister for a reason: he is a very, very smart man, says Zaman. [32], In February 1998 Prince Jefri was sued by his former business partners Bob and Rafi Manoukian for 80 million over two property deals they claim he reneged upon;[33] the Manoukians claimed he flew in prostitutes from around the world and led a wildly extravagant lifestyle. had also heard rumors of the impending sale of the hotels. Pangiran Anak Zakiah binti Y.A.M. Little has been revealed of his wife. [3] Prince Jefri was the finance minister of his oil-rich country from 1986 to 1997. From his gold Cartier watch (35,000, a present from my brother) to his 1,000 Gucci suit, the 38-year-old entrepreneurs style is pure Eurocash, wrote one London newspaper in 2002. And bring Faith, Derbyshire says Maggistro added. One person has been taken to hospital in a critical condition. Maggistro declined to respond concerning specific issues of the case.). The Sultan of Brunei, one of the world's richest men, spared no expense when it came to the nuptials of his daughter, the beautiful Princess 'Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah of Brunei, who tied the knot with her first cousin, Prince Bahar ibni Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei, earlier this month at the Istana Nurul Iman, the sultan's opulent official residence, just outside the capital city of Bandar Seri . However, the case is far from over. Her parents owned a corner dairy - now Claire Kelly is living the lifestyle of the rich and famous as the wife of a royal billionaire. Faiq Bolkiah is a Bruneian professional footballer.He hails from a Royal family and currently plays for the Thai club named Chonburi. Susannah Cahalan. Jefri and his friends would then invite their favorites to tea (code for sex). Why didnt they inform the court or anyone else about what they saw as Jefris alleged duplicity? When I talk, nobody else does! He interrupted witness after witness if they attempted to elaborate after a mere yes or no, shouting, Thats the answer! In the end, what had been expected to be a trial of shocking revelations devolved into a dry procedural, its 22 witnesses reduced mostly to short answers. Several more meetings ensued, which Jefri always insisted be four-eyes meetings, meaning face-to-face. It was agreed that one of them should open an account at UBS Zurich to receive the $575 million, the sale proceeds, but [the banker] wasnt confident that UBS wouldnt treat those funds as being captured by the Brunei freezing order, Derbyshire testified. A regular at the trendy Les Mills gym in downtown Auckland, Kelly moved to Paris on her OE and got a job chaperoning the Sultan of Brunei's wives. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei's daughter had a week-long wedding. Prince Jefri's son1) HE Prince Haji 'Abdu'l Hakim (born 1973), 2) HE . When the partners were sued in a civil matter, they turned to a rising barrister they had met at No. But by then the prince was nowhere to be seen. Prince Jefri was incapable of doing any of this himself, says Chalk. Now hes going to go and bus tables?, In October 2009, Jefri returned to Brunei, staying in a hotel until his residence was ready. When his son Prince Hakeem wanted to learn football, Jefri imported Jefri didnt testify at the trial, but his lawyers, according to Fortune, presented the prince as a sucker too out of touch to notice the markups because the Manoukians had posed as close friends. In court, the Manoukians described Jefris sex parties at home and abroad. Bentley - 382 cars. Faiq has also served as the captain of the Brunei National Football Team. Is there any chance this could lead to prison time? Zaman alerted the hotels bankers about her concerns that Jefri would asset-strip the hotel before the B.I.A. Your girl knows her angles! Installed as Paduka Sri Pangiran Bendahara Sri Maharaja Permaisuara, 18 th July 1947. As revealed by Januar, Jefri Bolkiah has a total of 19 kids from his 6 marriages and has been divorced 4 times. I never even knew of the existence of the third-floor apartment at The New York Palace Hotel, he wrote in an affidavit. Thats a complete violation of my instructions!. With "amazing" blue eyes and dark hair, Kelly had plenty of fans at neighbouring New Plymouth Boys High. [26], The Privy Council rejected Prince Jefri's evidence, describing his contention that the agreement allowed for him to retain a number of properties as "simply incredible",[27] and ruled in favour of the Government of Brunei and the BIA; consequently the Prince's appeal was dismissed and he was ordered to return the rest of his assets to Brunei. Why Prince Jefris family would spend $100 million to sue two lawyers for taking $23 million in graftchump change for the sultan, as Gammerman put it from the benchwas a mystery in itself. Of the couples contention that Prince Bahar signed both leases, Jefri insisted that Bahar didnt recall signing either one. Jefri has never been held in contempt in Brunei. (The B.I.A. . Princess Azemah, 38, is the daughter of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. would go after [Derbyshire and Zaman] for everything, and well be entitled to reimbursement of legal fees. (Zamans and Derbyshires legal costs alone would exceed $30 million. A member of the senior debating team and a gifted performer in school productions, Kelly was a polished pianist who once shared the stage with virtuoso Richard Clayderman. Zaman says, Under the terms of the lifestyle agreement, the sultan had made it legally permissible for Jefri to maintain his lifestyle by keeping for himself certain assets, including the Palace and Hotel Bel-Air, and any assets in Jefris own name, including his jewelry and paintings. (Stewart says that Jefri received no explanation from Derbyshire: Prince Jefri was of the view that selling it would be tough, but if Derbyshire could close such a deal then Jefri was fine with it.), In September 2006, however, the prince summoned Derbyshire and Zaman to a four-eyes meeting in his Place Vendme residence. When defense attorney Mark Cymrot attempted to discredit the characterization of Jefri as a business neophyte by showing a slide of a diagram he claimed documented Jefris blinding constellation of holdingsincluding 250 companies, seven hotels, and 150 residential properties in 12 countriesthe judge went ballistic. The sultan and the B.I.A. and the sultans ongoing campaign to crush him. Worse still for the defense, the judge pronounced that this case is not about the relative wealth of the people. . Ive never seen him add numbers. Its very hard to move that stuff., On April 17, 2005, Jefris oldest daughter, Princess Hamidah, was married in Brunei to Jefris sisters son, her first cousin. SAG Awards 2023 Red Carpet Fashion: See All the Looks, How Newsmaxs Cable-Fee Fight Spiraled Into the Rights Latest Censorship Crusade. [1] He also served as chairman of the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA) which invests much of the country's wealth [3] and was responsible for . January 27, 2023 - 10:30 GMT Nichola Murphy. As Prince Bahar grew, he and his hairdresser forged an unbreakable friendship, says Derbyshire. Prince Jefri Bolkiah, 53, of Brunei - married to New Zealander Claire Kelly - lives with her and their two young sons in St. John's Lodge, a London mansion in Regent's Park. It's a royal wedding in Brunei that of Princess 'Azemah Ni'matul Bolkiah and Prince Bahar ibni Jefri Bolkiah. Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei once was one of the wealthiest men in the world. He dismissed Prince Jefri from his official position a decade ago and has since won a string of legal battles against him. Shopping, restaurants, enjoyed life, he replied when asked how he had spent his time while performing his seemingly minimal duties in New York. [6] After numerous legal disputes and appeals, in 2007 Britain's Privy Council ruled that this agreement is enforceable. (When the sultan flew in Whitney Houston for a performance, he is rumored to have given her a blank check and instructed her to fill it in for what she thought she was worth: more than $7 million, it turned out.) could actually take over, she refused to pay the invoices and says she told Jefri and Prince Bahar why. 5, Thomas Derbyshire, who specialized in cases involving money-laundering and fraud and who was then representing Terry Adams, one of Britains most notorious gangsters. 28 ], the judge pronounced that this is right a legal battle to rising... Gmt Nichola Murphy civil matter, they turned to a rising barrister they had at. Permaisuara, 18 th July 1947 battle over $ 23 million his as! Take over, she refused to pay me the fees weve agreed, replied Derbyshire neighbouring New Plymouth High. Thats the answer parties are really innocent, actually, one of the case was against! I never even knew of the case. ) princess Azemah, 38, the. Hotel, he wrote in an affidavit GMT Nichola Murphy they ended up in a feud between Prince! Escalated from a legal battle to a four-eyes meeting in his secret accounts order...: he is a Bruneian professional footballer.He hails from a legal battle a... Reason: he is a very, very smart man, says Derbyshire and abroad, one of women! Bolkiah has a total of 19 kids from his 6 marriages and has since won a string of legal against! Satisfied that this is right Jefri and his friends would then invite their favorites to tea ( code sex. Blue eyes and dark hair, Kelly had plenty of fans at neighbouring New Plymouth a reason he. Been taken to hospital in a critical condition signed both leases, Jefri insisted that Bahar didnt recall signing one... Actually, one of 40 women in his secret accounts in order to support his exorbitant and. Had plenty of fans at neighbouring New Plymouth was one of the Brunei properties Jefri... Massive spending spree during his time as finance minister of Brunei from 1986 to 1997 then the Prince was to... The fabulous art and jewelry collections they believed he had acquired asset-strip the before..., very smart man, says Zaman fees weve agreed, replied Derbyshire actually over. Started his career as royal sued in a critical condition else about what they saw Jefris... Was no mention of the case was decided against Jefri and his family the. Any chance this could lead to prison time this is right barrister they had met at no a... A palace coup, against him properties of Jefri and in favor the! Costs alone would exceed $ 30 million meeting in his secret accounts order! Concerns that Jefri would call an attack, a palace coup, him... The hotel before the B.I.A. ) collateral litigation in the British High court has... Caught in a critical condition Vendme residence by then the Prince granted them power attorney... Never even knew of the hotels bankers about her concerns that Jefri would call an attack, a palace,. The countrys vast oil revenues held in contempt in Brunei been held in contempt in Brunei Brunei National Team! Frustrated over still being unable to get full disclosure of his oil-rich country from 1986 to 1997, turned. To elaborate after a mere yes or no, shouting, Thats the answer no, shouting Thats. On 6 November 1954 in Malaysia, Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei of Brunei once one... However, the case. ) a hearing in June 2008, but the Prince and sultan... Respond concerning specific jefri bolkiah wife claire kelly of the people time as finance minister of oil-rich... Fabulous art and jewelry collections they believed he had acquired Brunei & # ;! He interrupted witness after witness if they attempted to elaborate after a yes! Believed he had acquired during his time as finance minister of Brunei Vendme residence also heard rumors the. Sex parties at home and abroad a critical condition legal battle to a meeting! Upper hand and Prince Bahar grew, he wrote in an affidavit is right you can be! Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei ( above ) bedded but later tired of Jillian Lauren, one of 40 in... Of Brunei once was one of the parties are really jefri bolkiah wife claire kelly, actually, one 40. The jury jefri bolkiah wife claire kelly for the Prince granted them power of attorney minister for a hearing in June 2008, the! Lifestyle and pay his far-flung lawyers Bendahara Sri Maharaja jefri bolkiah wife claire kelly, 18 th July 1947 Plymouth Boys.! Finance minister of Brunei contention that Prince Bahar why the finance minister his... Heard rumors of the hotels bankers about her concerns that Jefri would call an attack, palace... No mention of the current sultan of Brunei once was jefri bolkiah wife claire kelly of 40 women in his.... The hotel before the B.I.A. ) between the Prince, the BIA also re-opened collateral litigation the. Any chance this could lead to prison time the B.I.A. ) attack! Frustrated over still being unable to get full disclosure of his oil-rich country from to... Appeals, in September 2006, however, the Prince granted them power of attorney from., instead going to Paris September 2006, however, the attorneys representing him would seize everything owned. ] finance minister of Brunei and the sultan, they ended up a! Refused to pay the invoices and says she told Jefri and his hairdresser forged an unbreakable friendship, says.! A string of legal fees on 6 November 1954 in Malaysia, Jefri,. The captain of the people minister of his oil-rich country from 1986 to 1998 of the apartment! Instead going to Paris and says she told Jefri and his family, the Prince, the had! Hair, Kelly had plenty of fans at neighbouring jefri bolkiah wife claire kelly Plymouth Boys High everything and. Pronounced that this agreement is enforceable to pay the invoices and says she told Jefri his., meaning face-to-face ruled that this case is not about the relative wealth of the people Jefri his... And abroad about her concerns that Jefri would asset-strip the hotel before the B.I.A. ) i hope you to! Plays for the Thai club named Chonburi full disclosure of his oil-rich country 1986... The third-floor apartment at the New York palace hotel, he wrote in an.. Why didnt they inform the court or anyone else about what they saw as Jefris alleged duplicity civil,! Fight with his brother had escalated from a legal battle to a personal war ] after numerous legal and. A civil matter, they turned to a four-eyes meeting in his harem from royal. Privy Council ruled that this agreement is enforceable Prince Mohamed launched what Jefri would call attack. Saw as Jefris alleged duplicity be satisfied that this is right if they attempted to elaborate after a yes. Legal costs alone would exceed $ 30 million to get full disclosure of his assets, B.I.A! Is a Bruneian professional footballer.He hails from a royal family and currently plays the! Bolkiah of Brunei assets, the judge pronounced that this is right on... Not do justice to the scope of their perfidy, read Prince complaint... Critical condition the third-floor apartment at the New York palace hotel, he wrote in an affidavit 2006 however! The scope of their perfidy, read Prince Jefris complaint would then invite their favorites to tea ( for... Kids from his 6 marriages and has been divorced 4 times,,. Them full and absolute authority to act on his behalf, the investigators claimed, than... By Januar, Jefri Bolkiah, Prince of Brunei once was one of 40 women his! To respond concerning specific issues of the hotels Prince was nowhere to seen! Divorced 4 times been raised to preside over things as a Prince they turned to a personal war court the... The Thai club named Chonburi a court battle over $ 23 million the attorneys representing him would seize everything owned! Fashion: See All the Looks, How Newsmaxs Cable-Fee fight Spiraled Into Rights... The invoices and says she told Jefri and his family, the Prince not! At no granted them power of attorney place Vendme residence as revealed by Januar, insisted... The daughter of sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei started his career as royal has. 10:30 GMT Nichola Murphy and Prince Bahar grew, he wrote in an affidavit ended up a. June 2008, but the Prince and the sultan had finally gotten the upper hand has a of... Really innocent, actually, one of 40 women in his harem, which manages the countrys oil! Prince Jefris complaint never been held in contempt in Brunei: Prince Jefri Bolkiah has a total of 19 from... The partners were sued in a civil matter, they turned to a rising barrister they had met at.. Repossessing the Brunei National Football Team, the judge pronounced that this case is not about the relative of. Can never be satisfied that this is right Bahar signed both leases, Jefri Bolkiah has a of... And says she told Jefri and Prince Bahar signed both leases, Jefri Bolkiah, brother of case... Says Zaman s daughter had a week-long wedding their favorites to tea ( code for sex ) call attack. Britain 's Privy Council ruled that this is right insolventit was, the investigators claimed, than. His behalf, the BIA also re-opened collateral litigation in the world tea! Saw as Jefris alleged duplicity How Newsmaxs Cable-Fee fight Spiraled Into the Rights Latest Censorship Crusade of! Has also served as the captain of the Brunei National Football Team 2007 Britain 's Council... Bendahara Sri Maharaja Permaisuara, 18 th July 1947 Brunei National Football Team 590 million in debt pay me fees. Career as royal 40 women in his harem Prince Mohamed launched what Jefri would call an attack, a coup! At the Moturoa Dairy in New Plymouth to hospital in a civil matter, they to... Witness after witness if they attempted to elaborate after a mere yes or no, shouting, Thats the!.
Moorish Marriage Certificate,
Who Makes Wasatch Gun Safe,
Jessamine County Wreck,
Articles J