Michelle Troconis refused to answer questions this week about the finances of her boyfriend, Fotis Dulos, and his homebuilding company Fore Group Inc. during a deposition Wednesday in a lawsuit over outstanding loans, an attorney representing Dulos’ former in-laws wrote in a motion asking a judge to compel Troconis to talk.
Attorney Richard Weinstein sought to question Troconis, 45, Wednesday on her knowledge about Dulos’ company, Fore Group Inc., in a civil matter that alleges Dulos and Fore Group Inc. failed to pay back millions in loans to Hilliard Farber, the father of Dulos’ estranged wife, Jennifer Farber Dulos, who went missing May 24. Both Dulos and Troconis have been arrested and charged in connection with Farber Dulos’ disappearance.
In a deposition Wednesday at Weinstein’s West Hartford law office, Troconis invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination following every question she was asked, according to a motion filed Thursday in Superior Court in Hartford.
Weinstein referenced in the motion that Troconis’ attorney mentioned concerns over the possibility of additional criminal charges being filed, but did not elaborate.
Troconis has twice been charged with tampering with evidence in connection with the disappearance of Farber Dulos, 51, and remains free on $600,000 bail.
“[It] will be apparent that many of the questions would have no bearing in regard to criminal charges but Troconis has used the privilege in a blanket manner as to wrongfully invoke the privilege,” Weinstein wrote. He also submitted a transcript of Wednesday’s deposition under seal.
Gloria Farber, Farber Dulos’ mother, sued Dulos last year, alleging that he and Fore Group Inc. failed to pay back loans from Hilliard Farber. Records show Fore Group was supported significantly by an influx of millions of dollars from Hilliard Farber.
Dulos, 52, also has been charged twice with tampering with evidence following the disappearance of his estranged wife and is free after posting $1 million bail.
In recent motions, Weinstein has questioned Dulos’ finances, saying that he believes a Greek benefactor is covering the cost of Dulos’ expensive criminal defense.
In other motions, Weinstein has alleged that Dulos used the company’s funds for personal expenses and has referenced a series of questionable reimbursements Dulos received including “various motels(hotels),” “Uber," and “Amazon." Dulos also received reimbursements to cover the mortgage of his Farmington home, but that has gone unpaid.
“Ms. Troconis , under information and belief, has knowledge of the affairs of the Fore Group, and was involved in representing it in one capacity or another for some period of time,” Weinstein wrote in the motion. “Her testimony is therefore quite significant in regard to the conduct of Fotis Dulos and the Fore Group in maintaining, or not maintaining, a separate corporate identity and use of corporate funds.”
Weinstein has asked a judge to review the questions from the transcript and to determine whether Troconis must respond.
A judge has scheduled a trial for the case in December.