A high-profile friendship between a Canadian billionaire heiress, her reality television star husband and another wealthy couple has turned into a legal battle over an alleged $2 million loan.
Max Jan Fowles-Pazdro, 46, has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Brendan Fitzpatrick, 38, formerly of Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, of using their close friendship to secure the money for a real estate venture in the United Kingdom. Fitzpatrick’s wife, Chloe de Serigny, 31, is also named in the lawsuit.
Fowles-Pazdro alleges that the couple failed to repay the loan despite repeated promises and continued to portray a lavish lifestyle on social media.
Friendship Allegedly Became the Basis for $2 Million Loan
According to the court filing, Fowles-Pazdro and Fitzpatrick became particularly close after meeting through mutual friends while living in California.
Their relationship reportedly grew stronger in 2024 when both couples were based in Miami.
Fowles-Pazdro and his wife, Parisa, also spent part of the summer staying at the Fitzpatricks’ rental property in the South of France.
They later stayed at Chloe’s mother’s home in Montreal.
The lawsuit claims the couples became close while expecting children, with Fitzpatrick allegedly referring to Fowles-Pazdro as his “best friend” and telling him that his family was also his family.
Plaintiff Says He Put His Life Savings on the Line
The lawsuit alleges that Fitzpatrick subsequently approached Fowles-Pazdro in January 2025 seeking $2 million to help finance a property project in the UK.
Fowles-Pazdro claims Fitzpatrick made repeated and increasingly urgent requests for financial assistance before he agreed to provide what was described as a bridge loan.
According to the filing, Fowles-Pazdro and his wife used their life savings to fund the deal after Fitzpatrick promised that repayment would begin within six weeks.
The plaintiff now alleges that the promised repayment never materialized.
Lawsuit Claims No Money Was Repaid
Fowles-Pazdro claims that despite the passage of roughly two years, none of the $2 million has been returned.
The lawsuit says the couple’s financial position became increasingly difficult as they waited for repayment, alleging that the missing funds represented their nest egg.
The filing further accuses Fitzpatrick and de Serigny of repeatedly assuring Fowles-Pazdro that they would resolve the debt.
One alleged message from Fitzpatrick read: “I am going to fix everything this week.”
In another communication cited in the lawsuit, Fitzpatrick allegedly promised that the matter would be resolved the following day and suggested he would seek financial assistance from his mother-in-law if necessary.
Chloe Allegedly Discussed Her Mother’s Intervention
The lawsuit also cites messages allegedly sent by Chloe in which she discussed her mother’s involvement in the couple’s financial difficulties.
According to the filing, Chloe told Fowles-Pazdro that her mother had held a serious conversation with Fitzpatrick and that they were considering changing boats and working out how to repay those they owed.
The allegations have brought additional attention to Chloe’s family background.
Her mother, Sophie Desmarais, is described in the lawsuit as the trustee of the fortune established by Chloe’s grandfather, the late Canadian financier Paul Desmarais.
Desmarais Family Fortune Adds to High-Profile Nature of Case
Paul Desmarais was chairman and chief executive of Power Corporation of Canada until 1996 and was one of Canada’s wealthiest businessmen.
The Desmarais family’s fortune has been estimated at approximately $4.5 billion.
Desmarais was reportedly Canada’s fourth-richest person when he died in 2013.
Chloe and Fitzpatrick married in a lavish California wine-country ceremony in 2023, an event that was covered by People magazine. The couple have one child, according to their social media presence.
Lawsuit Points to Couple’s Luxury Lifestyle
A major element of Fowles-Pazdro’s complaint concerns the lifestyle he says the Fitzpatricks continued to display while the alleged debt remained unpaid.
The plaintiff claims that the couple presented themselves as living in luxury despite their alleged financial difficulties.
The court filing included a social media photograph showing the couple aboard a yacht in the Mediterranean.
Fowles-Pazdro characterized the image as evidence that Fitzpatrick and de Serigny appeared to be enjoying an extravagant lifestyle while he was still waiting for repayment.
The lawsuit accuses the couple of being “devoid of any worldly cares” as they travelled by yacht through the Mediterranean.
Plaintiff Accuses Couple of Exploiting Their Friendship
Fowles-Pazdro’s complaint alleges that the Fitzpatricks’ close relationship with him and his wife played a central role in obtaining the money.
The filing claims that the couple’s time together during luxury trips helped establish the trust that ultimately preceded the loan.
The plaintiff alleges that what appeared to be a close personal friendship was instead used to persuade him to provide the substantial sum.
The lawsuit describes Fitzpatrick’s conduct as an alleged exploitation of their personal friendship.
Fitzpatrick Faces Separate $80 Million Lawsuit
The $2 million dispute is not the only major legal battle involving Fitzpatrick.
He is also facing a separate lawsuit connected to his mining and resource management company, Carbonatik.
That case accuses him of operating an alleged $80 million Ponzi scheme.
Fitzpatrick’s attorneys have largely denied the allegations in that case while acknowledging certain basic facts concerning agreements and communications.
His legal team has also filed a counterclaim alleging that Fowles-Pazdro failed to meet obligations of his own.
Couple Seeks to Defend Against Allegations
The defendants’ response disputes significant portions of Fowles-Pazdro’s allegations while accepting some underlying facts concerning their agreements and communications.
The counterclaim indicates that Fitzpatrick and de Serigny intend to challenge the plaintiff’s account of the financial dispute rather than simply accept responsibility for the alleged debt.
As a result, the competing allegations will now be examined through the legal proceedings.
Lawsuit Seeks Loan, Interest and Legal Costs
Fowles-Pazdro is seeking damages that include repayment of the alleged $2 million loan, interest and attorneys’ fees.
The case remains pending in federal court.
On September 3, Fitzpatrick also filed a motion seeking to change his legal representation as the litigation continues.
