The United States Court of Appeals has ruled in favour of Gaston Browne and several Antiguan and Barbudan individuals and entities in a closely watched financial disclosure case stemming from the disputed sale of the luxury yacht Alfa Nero.
The matter was brought by Russian national Yulia Guryeva Motlokhov, who has claimed ownership of the sanctioned vessel and challenged the Government of Antigua and Barbuda over its 2024 sale. The yacht had been docked in Antigua for an extended period after being abandoned, with mounting maintenance costs prompting the government to seek legal authority to sell it.
In its ruling, the appellate court upheld an earlier decision by a U.S. District Court, rejecting Motlokhov’s application for discovery and quashing subpoenas issued to both The Clearing House and the Federal Reserve. Her legal team had sought extensive financial records, including banking transactions and statements linked to Browne dating back to 2019.
The court further ordered that all documents obtained under the subpoenas be destroyed, with certification required to confirm their disposal—effectively closing off that line of inquiry.
Legal representatives for Browne are now considering options to recover a portion of the legal costs incurred during the appellate process, following what they describe as a decisive outcome.
The case forms part of a broader dispute over the fate of the Alfa Nero, a superyacht widely reported to have been linked to sanctioned Russian businessman Andrey Guryev. Antigua and Barbuda moved to sell the vessel after it remained unclaimed for years, citing the financial burden of upkeep and the need to resolve its status. The government has consistently maintained that the sale process was lawful and transparent.
Sources familiar with the proceedings indicate that while Motlokhov could seek to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court of the United States, such a move would face significant legal hurdles, as there is no automatic right of appeal and only a small fraction of petitions are accepted for review.
Meanwhile, Browne has initiated separate legal action in the United States, filing a defamation lawsuit against attorney Martin De Luca and the law firm Boies Schiller Flexner. The claim relates to statements made during the disclosure proceedings, which Browne alleges were damaging to his reputation.
The Prime Minister is seeking US$10 million in damages. Court filings indicate that while the firm has been served, efforts are ongoing to formally serve De Luca.
Attorneys representing Browne say the latest appellate ruling reinforces their position that both the Prime Minister and Antiguan officials acted properly in their handling of the vessel, marking what they describe as another significant legal victory in the ongoing dispute.
