An Investor Battles Former Landlord Over Assets of Shuttered Winery
An investor in a closed RiNo winery is in a legal dispute with the former landlord over the ownership of assets. Monty Cleworth, a key figure at Monticello Associates, acquired assets of Infinite Monkey Theorem (IMT) after the winery shut down at the end of 2024. Cleworth claims that he paid off a $900,000 loan in exchange for inventory, a canning line, and the brand rights, valued at $428,000.
However, Cleworth alleges that the landlord at 3200 Larimer St. is withholding the equipment and inventory, preventing him from accessing his newly acquired assets. He believes the landlord, Jonathan Palmer, is holding the items as collateral due to unpaid rent by IMT.
Palmer, the building owner, is currently evaluating Cleworth’s claims through his legal team. In a lawsuit filed in November 2024, Palmer stated that IMT defaulted on its lease, owing him $350,000 in damages. The lease is set to expire in 2030.
Cleworth’s involvement with IMT dates back to 2008 when he made an equity investment in the business, eventually owning a 25% stake. He took over the assets and equipment as part of a debt repayment agreement after IMT closed down. Cleworth left the physical property in hopes of finding a new tenant for the space.
Despite efforts to negotiate with a potential buyer, the deal fell through, leading to IMT’s eviction. Cleworth now faces challenges in accessing the equipment and fears potential delays in selling the assets to interested buyers.
The legal battle also involves IMT’s founder, Ben Parsons, who settled with Palmer for $25,000. Parsons argued that he was not liable for the full payment as he had left the business in 2019. The current Chief Operating Officer of Attimo Wine, Nicki McTague, expressed concerns over the situation, emphasizing the need to resolve the dispute amicably.
Cleworth’s main concern is the potential financial loss if the equipment is sold off before he can secure access. The ongoing conflict raises questions about the ownership and responsibility for the outstanding payments, highlighting the complexities of business relationships.
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