Gabriel Ricardo Dias-Azedo, once a pillar of Hong Kong's Portuguese community and a former global partner of blue ribbon accountancy firm Grant Thornton, is being pursued through the courts for more than HK$91 million.
The latest claim against Azedo is from China Construction Bank (Asia), which is seeking HK$3.48 million from him. The bank said in a High Court writ that it lent Azedo HK$3.3 million as an instalment loan on July 16 this year.
The loan was to be repaid over three years in monthly installments. However, according to the writ, Azedo has not repaid any money and a letter was sent demanding payment on October 21.
Azedo is the former president of Club Lusitano, one of the oldest and most respected private clubs in Hong Kong, whose membership is mainly drawn from families of Portuguese and Macanese backgrounds.
Azedo's father, the late Cassiano Ricardo Dias-Azedo, was the first life member of the club.
China Construction Bank's claim follows two other attempts through the courts to get money from the senior accountant, including one from Archie da Silva and his wife, Betty, the owners of champion racehorse Silent Witness.
Da Silva is also a member of Club Lusitano. The da Silvas filed a claim in October against Azedo and Grant Thornton Hong Kong, seeking an account of trust assets allegedly held on their behalf. The da Silvas are seeking the transfer of 'all such trust property' to them or the payment of US$2.3 million.
