"Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Christopher Laurita was found liable for fraud on Thursday by a federal judge in connection with a protracted bankruptcy case, NJ.com reported on Friday. Chris Laurita's clothing firm Signature Apparel filed for bankruptcy in 2009. In 2010, Anthony Labrosciano, the person designated by the court to settle the company's affairs, filed a lawsuit against Chris and Jacqueline Laurita; Chris' brother and sister-in-law Joseph and Adeline Laurita; and another brother Anthony Laurita, for allegedly using Signature Apparel bank accounts to pay for private jets, lavish vacations and expensive cars. Joseph and Adeline Laurita settled their portion of the case in 2014 for $1 million, but Chris and Jacqueline as well as Anthony Laurita remained in litigation over the matter. Bankruptcy Judge Robert E. Grossman ruled on Thursday that Chris Laurita and management company Iconix, a subsidiary of Studio IP, were liable for fraud, negligent misrepresentation and tortious interference with contractual relations for diverting some of Signature Apparel's assets. Laurita was also found liable for breach of his fiduciary duty, and Iconix was found liable for aiding and abetting Laurita's fiduciary breach.
