Fresh blow for wealthy couple in sex and drug claims after business fails

MULTI-MILLIONAIRE couple Chris and Mary Gorman have been forced to shut their failing building business, just weeks after being arrested in a US nightclub amid allegations of sex and drug use.

The pair, who are believed to be worth £45 million, applied for voluntary creditors’ liquidation for CMG Enterprises, an upmarket home improvement firm, which will allow them to sell off assets to pay creditors.

A spokesman said they had invested £472,000 into the business but have been unable to help it turn a profit.

The failure of the business is not linked to the allegations from Orlando, Florida, which the couple deny.

It has been reported that Mrs Gorman, 43, was engaged in a sexual act with another man in a toilet at the Roxy nightclub, while her husband, 44, watched.

Police were called and she was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine and assaulting a police officer on 12 August.

She has been charged and is due to stand trial in the US next year.

The charges carry a maximum jail sentence of five years.

Mr Gorman was also arrested over allegations he interfered with the arrest, but does not face any charges.

No indecency charges were lodged against the couple and the man, who was allegedly in the toilet with them, was released without charge.

The parents-of-four were believed to be on a family holiday to Disney World at the time.

Despite the failure of CMG Enterprises they are hugely successful entrepreneurs, with both amassing multi-million pound fortunes.

Mrs Gorman has worked in the technology, music, and beauty sectors. She was also an ambassador for Action for Children Scotland and a supporter of the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust, until the allegations emerged and both organisations cut ties with the couple.

Her husband received an OBE in 2005 for services to business.

His wealth came from DX Communications, which he set up with a friend for £25,000 and later sold for £4.2m, of which he took a quarter.

He then invested in internet services, eventually selling his next business for £35m.

They bought CMG Enterprises for £400,000 in 2003, after the company was employed to carry out work on their home in Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire.

However, they were unable to make the company turn a profit and believed they had strayed outside their areas of expertise.

The two former employees have now set up on their own.

A spokesman for Mr and Mrs Gorman said: “Chris and Mary invested a total of £472,000 in the business.

“They worked very closely with the staff who ran the operations in the business for 14 years and it was upsetting for all who were involved to call it a day.

“It was with a very heavy heart that the decision had to be taken, but they are confident that these gentlemen will flourish in their new venture and Chris and Mary have offered them as much support as they can in relation to referrals and endorsements going forward.”