Paddy McKillen, a long-time business associate of U2 frontman Bono, is facing allegations of defrauding a prominent London hotel group of £1.2 million. The legal action has been filed in Aix-en-Provence, France, by Maybourne Hotels, which owns establishments such as Claridge’s, The Connaught, and The Berkeley.
The lawsuit claims that approximately 50 invoices for building work were submitted for hotels owned by Maybourne. However, the work was allegedly carried out at Chateau La Coste, a property in Provence owned by McKillen that includes a vineyard, hotel, and several restaurants. McKillen, 71, who has a history of business dealings with Bono and The Edge, including the purchase of Dublin’s Clarence Hotel in 1992, has not commented on the allegations. If found guilty of fraud by the court, McKillen could face a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of €375,000 (£320,000).
McKillen, who is also known to be friends with artist Damien Hirst, previously headed the Maybourne Group. According to the report, no members of U2 are involved in the current lawsuit. The source noted that McKillen is understood to have explanations for the events in question.