A prominent Colorado socialite and endurance racing driver says she has been compelled to take legal action against two billionaire family friends, alleging her ex-husband's fraudulent actions left her with no other choice.
Allegations of Financial Manipulation
In a new court filing, 69-year-old Renee Brinkerhoff accuses her former husband, 71-year-old William Brinkerhoff, of fraud and conspiracy. The central claim is that William moved $1.1 million out of Brinkerhoff Exploration, an oil and gas company Renee acquired as part of their divorce settlement.
This legal manoeuvre, however, also required Renee to sue the company's limited partners: Bill MacMillan and Cargill MacMillan III, billionaire heirs to the Cargill agribusiness empire. She expressed profound regret over this development, stating the MacMillans have been lifelong friends.
A Messy and Public Divorce Saga
This lawsuit marks the latest episode in a bitterly contested divorce between the former couple, who are well-known in Denver as the former owners of the La Loma Mexican restaurant chain. The restaurants were divided following their split.
Renee Brinkerhoff gained personal fame through her non-profit, Valkyrie Races, becoming the first person to race a car across all seven continents using a 1965 Porsche. Yet, her personal life has been marred by scandalous mutual accusations.
In March, she sued William over allegations he stole business shares, with a divorce judge previously finding he used a 'series of concealed machinations' to exclude her. She has also accused him of infidelity and coercive control rooted in fundamentalist Christian beliefs about male superiority.
A Family Divided by Allegations
The acrimony extends to their children. Renee has alleged William schemed to transfer her share of the restaurant business to their younger son, Mark. Both Mark and William deny these claims.
They are supported by the couple's younger daughter, Juliette, who provided an affidavit containing severe allegations against her mother. Juliette claimed Renee would routinely beat her and her siblings with objects like a pipe, wooden spoon, or belt if they failed to achieve top grades or made mistakes in piano practice.
Regarding infidelity, while Renee points the finger at William, both Juliette and Mark's wife, Johanna Brinkerhoff, counter-claim that Renee flirted with male navigators during her charity racing events and was often not wearing her wedding ring.
As this complex legal and familial battle continues, representatives for all parties have been contacted for comment.
