Ex-Disney Exec Breaks Silence Amid Explosive Fraud Allegations from Widow

Richard Frank, former president of Disney Studios, is no stranger to the spotlight. A key figure in the release of iconic Disney films such as The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), and The Lion King (1994), Frank helped shape Disney’s legacy during his tenure with the company. After his departure from Disney in 1995, Frank shifted his focus toward his personal passions, including winemaking and restaurant ownership.

However, he now finds himself embroiled in a legal battle that threatens his reputation, one that is centered around accusations brought forth by the widow of famed chef Michael Chiarello.

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The lawsuit, filed by Eileen Gordon, claims that Frank, alongside hospitality entrepreneur John Hansen and investor John Crowley, took advantage of Michael Chiarello’s sudden passing in 2023. Gordon, who was married to Chiarello for 16 years before their divorce in 2019, alleges that the three men conspired to “defraud the estate, seize assets, and eliminate any association with Chef Chiarello, his estate, his family, or his legacy.”

According to her, they manipulated their position to take control of Chiarello’s three Napa Valley restaurants and began selling their own wine instead of Chiarello’s.

Michael Chiarello, known for his culinary mastery, died in 2023 at the age of 61 due to an allergic reaction that led to anaphylaxis. The circumstances surrounding his passing have only added to the emotional weight of this case.

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According to Gordon’s claims, Frank was involved in a “hostile takeover” of the restaurants, misleading her by representing himself as the owner and making significant changes without her consent.

In the wake of the lawsuit, Frank and his associates have been vocal in defending themselves, asserting that their actions were in line with a legal agreement put in place by Chiarello himself. Frank and Hansen are adamant that they acted within their rights, and a statement provided by their PR firm offers insight into their position.

It is unfortunate that Ms. Gordon, who has been estranged from Michael for many years, is attempting to relitigate a legally binding agreement that Michael put in place to ensure the continuation of his legacy. In that agreement, Michael set the stage for his longtime friends and business partners of over 30 years, Rich Frank and John Hansen, to carry forward his vision.

Michael had explicitly outlined that, in the event of his death, his restaurants were to be sold in accordance with an investor agreement. Rich and John—who invested in every one of Michael’s entrepreneurial ventures—exercised their legal rights under that agreement with court approval.

Rather than respect the legal process and Michael’s clear intentions, Ms. Gordon has actively attempted to derail the transition. Over the course of several months, she disrupted restaurant operations, withheld vital financial information, and terminated key staff, undermining the business Michael worked so hard to build. Her lawsuit is baseless, frivolous, and reflects a troubling disregard for both the legal process and Michael’s wishes.

Michael is profoundly missed. Over three decades of friendship, he was a constant presence in Rich and John’s lives—celebrating birthdays, weddings, and countless dinners at Bottega. Michael poured his heart into making each occasion special. Michael considered Rich “like a father” and “a friend who was always there.”

Shortly before his death, Michael made a speech at Rich’s surprise birthday party, in front of more than 100 friends saying: “He has helped me my entire career. He has been a steward of every business he’s been in…steward of the community, making sure it was never about him; it was about the sanctity of what the business was. He has helped me my entire career. He knew my father was disabled my entire life; he’s been like a dad to me. Very few friends know you need something before you need something, who keep any eye on you closely to know what is going on in my life, not for himself, but to make sure I had what I needed. Without Rich in my life, my business life would be 1/2 of what it is today, and my life, 1/3.”

Since the transition, Bottega’s senior management team has been rehired under the leadership of Frank and Hansen, ensuring continuity and honoring Michael’s vision.

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The agreement, according to Frank’s defense, was clear in its intentions. Chiarello had outlined that, in the event of his death, his restaurants were to be sold in accordance with an investor agreement.

The defense claims that Gordon, rather than respecting the legal process and Michael’s wishes, has caused disruption in the business operations, withholding vital financial information, and terminating key staff members. The two sides have since been involved in arbitration, with the arbitrator siding with Frank, Hansen, and Crowley.

Despite this ruling, Gordon has pressed on with her legal actions, suing the trio for an undisclosed amount of money. As the case continues, it raises questions about the true intentions of the men involved, with some suggesting that the timing of the lawsuit may be influenced by emotional factors surrounding Chiarello’s death. Gordon’s accusations suggest a deeper betrayal, one that challenges the trust that Chiarello had placed in these men.

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Since Chiarello’s death, Frank and Hansen have made efforts to ensure continuity in the operations of the Napa Valley restaurants, re-hiring the senior management team and continuing to honor Chiarello’s legacy. Despite these efforts, Gordon is determined to continue the legal battle, unwilling to accept the terms set forth by the arbitrator and Frank’s team.

While the lawsuit continues to unfold, the impact of Chiarello’s passing and the ensuing legal drama is felt deeply by those close to the late chef. Frank’s defenders argue that they are simply fulfilling the wishes of their friend, ensuring that his vision lives on. On the other hand, Gordon’s claims of manipulation and deceit highlight the complexity of navigating the business side of a family legacy after a tragic loss.

We want to hear your thoughts on this legal battle. Do you believe Richard Frank and his associates acted within their rights, or is Eileen Gordon’s lawsuit justified? Share your opinions with us in the comments below.

Disney Dining will continue to follow the developments in this case and provide updates as new information emerges.