Richest man in Russia 'is suing Vladimir Romanov'

Published on Monday 20 October 2008 10:12

HEARTS owner Vladimir Romanov is reportedly being sued by Russia's richest man over an alleged £7 million fraud.

Oleg Deripaska, a metals tycoon who is worth 17 billion, claims that one of his firms was cheated out of the cash by Romanov and son Roman.

Deripaska's lawyers have taken the case to the US courts, claiming that Romanov, in his role as the owner of an aluminium ore plant in Bosnia, agreed three deals with one of his firms.

The Russian businessman claims that Romanov failed to deliver on the deals before declaring that the contracts belonged to an American company he had nothing to do with.

Deripaska has been chasing the money he says is owned by Romanov for the past four years.

Deripaska, 40, sued the Romanovs in Milwaukee, claiming after talks with Romanov in Lithuania, they agreed to buy ore from his Bosnia refinery, pay for repairs to it and provide a loan.