Toni&Guy widow in line for £2m payment from ex-toyboy lover
THE wealthy widow of one of the Toni&Guy founders who claimed she was duped by her toyboy ex-boyfriend could be in line for £2 million after obtaining a court order against him.
Flora Mascolo, the 50-year-old widow of Guy Mascolo, is suing her 35-year-old ex-lover, Swiss “celebrity chef ” and restaurateur Michael Riemenschneider, claiming he is a “professional con man”.
She has alleged that Mr Riemenschneider fleeced her of £2 million during their 18-month relationship between September 2014 and April 2016.
Mr Riemenschneider, who has a string of UK restaurants, denies all the allegations against him and insists any money he received from Mrs Mascolo, who lives in a £5 million house in west London, was by way of legitimate investment in two restaurant projects.
Yesterday at London’s High Court Mrs Mascolo obtained a crucial evidence disclosure order against him. If Mr Riemenschneider fails to comply in full, he could lose the chance to defend himself in court and be ordered to pay up before Christmas.
At an earlier High Court hearing the widow’s barrister, Rupert D’Cruz, said that Mrs Mascolo claims to have bought her ex a £150,000 Mercedes.
She also gave him £2.12 million to invest in two new restaurants while they were together, the court heard.
But she now claims Mr Riemenschneider is a “liar” and a gold-digger who “used the restaurants as a front” to obtain her millions. She says he spent her cash on a “lavish personal lifestyle”, including supercars, expensive watches and private jets.
Mr Riemenschneider falsely “led her to believe that he was a well-connected chef with a Michelin star grading” said Mr Mr D’Cruz. In reality, he was a “professional con man”, the barrister claimed.
Huw Davies QC, for Mr Riemenschneider, has accused Mrs Mascolo of “oppressive behaviour” towards him and demanded time for the chef to fight the claims – but neither he, nor his lawyers, were in court as Mr Justice Males granted the disclosure order.
Mr Riemenschneider is now compelled to give detailed disclosure of his worldwide and UK financial assets to Mrs Mascolo’s lawyers. He has until 1pm on December 23 to comply with the court order.
If he does not, Mrs Mascolo will have “an opportunity to obtain judgement in default before Christmas”, Mr Justice Males said.