NASCAR chairman Brian France filed a civil complaint against his ex-wife, Megan France, last year, a few months after the couple divorced in Florida. They married in California in 2005. Lawyers persuaded Mecklenburg [County, NC] Judge Todd Owens to seal the court file from public inspection, an unusual move in a court system that typically allows widespread access to courtrooms and documents. On Friday, France’s attorneys petitioned a Mecklenburg judge to bar the public from the courtroom as arguments in the case unfold. It’s unclear exactly what the dispute involves, but the matter is being heard in family court and apparently involves domestic issues. France’s attorneys argued Friday that a confidentiality agreement is at the heart of the case, and that it shouldn’t be breached in open court hearings.(see full story at the Charlotte Observer)(11-14-2009)
UPDATE: NASCAR has asked a federal court to stop lawyers for suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield from collecting information from the ex-wife of chairman Brian France. Mayfield’s attorneys subpoenaed Megan France last week requesting documents about a lawsuit filed against her by Brian France. The attorneys also asked for joint tax returns and mail addressed to Brian France. NASCAR filed a motion in U.S. District Court on Monday asking that Megan France be barred from producing the documents. The Frances were divorced in April 2008, and Brian France sued his ex-wife in North Carolina Superior Court in September of that year. All documents relating to that case were sealed in December.(Associated Press)(11-24-2009)
