Brad Pitt is forcefully disputing Brad Pitt embezzlement accusations linked to Chateau Miraval, urging a judge to dismiss claims he misused business funds as part of the ongoing legal fight with his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, over the renowned French winery. Pitt responded to detailed allegations that he and his business used Miraval’s resources for non-essential projects, escalating an already contentious dispute unfolding between high-profile parties in both the entertainment and business worlds.
Pitt Moves to Dismiss Embezzlement Allegations in Court
On December 22, Brad Pitt, at age 62, submitted court documents in response to charges that he spent Miraval’s money on vanity projects, including a multimillion-dollar home and a swimming pool within the vineyard estate. Pitt asserted these expenditures were transparent and fully disclosed to relevant parties.
He addressed a specific message he sent during discussions about building a music studio at Miraval, stating:
I believe we should no longer send [Jolie] reports as she is trying to shop her shares.
Pitt later clarified for the court that, in his view, the message amounted to opinion, not evidence of embezzlement or any illegal act.
Pitt explained further:
The message is framed as a personal view or observation, not an instruction, and reflects no intent to advance or facilitate any unlawful conduct.
He stressed there was no obligation requiring him to disclose the discussed reports to Angelina Jolie, now 50, reinforcing his claim that no wrongdoing occurred.
His legal team elaborated on the matter:
Nor does the message indicate any attempt or intent by [Pitt] to conceal stolen property from Jolie. Such a claim is nonsensical, given the public nature of the music studio and its association with [Miraval].
Pitt contended that, since all alleged financial misconduct occurred in France, any such claims should be adjudicated there, not in California. Seeking resolution, Pitt requested that the judge dismiss every claim presently lodged against him in California courts.
Background: Ownership Dispute and Business Tensions
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie acquired Chateau Miraval together in 2008. Their partnership dissolved following their breakup, after which Jolie sought to end her involvement with the business. Negotiations for Pitt to buy out Jolie’s stake reportedly reached a $55 million offer from Pitt, but agreement couldn’t be reached.
Jolie subsequently sold her shares of the winery to alcohol company Stoli. This transaction triggered Pitt to take legal action, arguing Jolie needed his consent for the sale—a requirement Jolie disputed at the time.
Stoli, having purchased Jolie’s holding, entered the legal fray by countersuing Pitt in 2024. The company accused Pitt and his management team of diverting Miraval’s profits, claiming the funds were used not to benefit the business but instead to finance Pitt’s personal projects. The company argued Pitt and his associates
used them to fund a series of wasteful vanity projects that benefited him personally.
Further, Miraval reportedly grew its profits to approximately $15 million in 2022, yet Stoli contended that this profitability was not reflected in loan repayments or shareholder distributions.
According to Stoli:
not a penny of the trends of millions of euros
earned by Miraval was utilized to address company debts. The countersuit elaborated:
Instead, Pitt uses the company’s funds as his own personal pocket money to indulge his wasteful spending and to benefit his business ventures.
Stoli’s legal filings highlighted that Jolie once lent $20 million to Miraval for improvements.
Stoli’s lawyer made further allegations:
Pitt has caused Chateau Miraval to spend tens of millions of dollars on vanity projects that have little, if any, business justification,
adding that, since Jolie’s departure,
Following the divorce filing, only Pitt has stayed at the manor house owned by Chateau Miraval and enjoyed the benefits of a personal lease on the property — Jolie never returned there.
Accusations of Secrecy and Financial Control
Stoli’s legal filing also stated that, after Jolie sold her stake, Pitt took complete control of Miraval’s operations. Stoli accused Pitt of bypassing Jolie in key business decisions and approving significant expenditures without her consent. To support this, Stoli referred to a 2021 message from Pitt:
I believe we should no longer send AJ reports as she is trying to shop her shares.
Further tensions surfaced as Stoli stated in the lawsuit:
Chateau Miraval has never distributed any of the business’ profits to its shareholders. Never.
Jolie observed, according to Stoli, that Miraval was
spending large sums of money on projects that did not appear to have a legitimate business purpose.
Court filings noted:
She began to insist on receiving information about Chateau Miraval’s finances and sought to exercise greater supervision over its business,
but, as the countersuit continued,
Pitt frequently resisted her requests and, over time, shut her out of the business, and deprived her of information about Chateau Miraval’s finances.
One unnamed source commented on the pattern of litigation involving Pitt:
It’s not surprising that after another favorable decision for Brad, these parties would proceed with another frivolous filing. Unfortunately, this is to be expected from the types of people she chose to go into business with.
Legal Developments and Ongoing Disputes
Pitt recently secured a small legal victory when a judge ordered Jolie to produce contested email communications. In addition, a $100 million countersuit, initiated by Nouvel—the firm that previously held Jolie’s shares and was sold to Stoli—remains active. Pitt has consistently denied all allegations of financial misconduct related to Miraval.
The background to these disputes stretches back to the couple’s history: Pitt and Jolie, who began their relationship in 2004 and married in 2014, eventually separated in 2016 following a high-profile incident on a private jet. Together, they share six children: Maddox, Zahara, Pax, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne, whose lives have drawn public attention throughout these legal battles.
After eight years of protracted legal negotiations, their divorce was finalized in December 2024, with Jolie not receiving spousal support in the final agreement.
Potential Impact on Pitt, Jolie, and Chateau Miraval
The battle over Chateau Miraval illustrates the complexities involved when personal, business, and legal interests intersect in high-stakes disputes. As both families and corporate entities like Stoli and Nouvel pursue their claims, the ongoing litigation raises questions about financial transparency and business governance at Miraval. The final outcome may carry lasting implications not only for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie but also for corporate partners and the future of one of France’s most celebrated wine estates.
