Hermitage Club

Everyone enjoys a good fairy tale, who knows what’ll happen

To the Editor,
Shortly before the end of 2018, The Deerfield Valley News published my letter saying it was a “fairy tale” that Hermitage Club operations could be restarted without a bankruptcy, and questioning why neither members nor creditors had gone down that road. Now there are two...

Hermitage bankruptcies stay in Vermont

BURLINGTON- Hermitage bankruptcy cases will proceed in Vermont District Bankruptcy Court, according to a ruling by Judge Colleen A. Brown issued on Wednesday.
The ruling follows a hearing in which several witnesses, including Hermitage Founder James Barnes, testified over two days last...

Club president resigns citing concerns about plan

This article has been updated to include comments from Hermitage Founder James Barnes WILMINGTON- Hermitage Club President Harper Sibley submitted a letter of resignation today, citing his alarm over Hermitage owner James Barnes' proposed Chapter 11 reorganization plan.
“Based on my 40...

Hermitage Club members have not been able to use club facilities since it was ordered closed by Vermont Tax Commissioner Kaj Samsom.in April 2018

Club members want in on bankruptcy case

BURLINGTON- A group of 187 Hermitage Club members is seeking to join the involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy action filed by three creditors in Vermont District Bankruptcy Court last week.
In an accompanying statement by Timothy Treanor, a member of the so-called ad hoc committee, the group...

Judge grants continuance pending club bankruptcy

HARTFORD- A Connecticut judge has issued an order putting a lawsuit filed against James Barnes and the Hermitage on hold, pending the outcome of a settlement under Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Mark Brett filed the case in Hartford Superior Court in March 2018, seeking $963,000 in compensation...

(Updated) Barnes seeks to lift order banning him from entering property, removing personal items

UPDATED: 2/28/19
WILMINGTON- The court-appointed Hermitage receiver has issued a notice against trespass barring Hermitage Club founder James Barnes from entering Hermitage properties in receivership.
According to the notice, signed by Alan Tantleff of FTI Consulting, Barnes is “not...

Robert Balewicz File photo

Hermitage Club ordered to pay former manager

BOSTON- The US Department of Labor has ordered Hermitage Club Realty LLC to pay a former employee $22,693 in back pay and bonuses with interest, and $20,000 in compensatory damages.
“Hermitage Club Realty LLC terminated the employee on December 18, 2017, after informing the company of what...

Taxman cometh: State wants club cash

NEWFANE- The Vermont Department of Taxes has filed a motion seeking summary judgment in their lawsuit against James Barnes, seeking more than $1 million in unpaid meals, rooms, alcohol, and sales taxes.
The state filed the lawsuit on July 30, 2018, alleging that Barnes failed to remit tax...

The White House Inn

Judge denies Barnes’ last-minute bid to represent Hermitage in suit

NEWFANE- A hearing in a lawsuit against James Barnes and one of his companies was held despite a last minute request for a continuance from Barnes.
The scheduled hearing was to consider a motion by White House Inn owner Bob Grinold for a preliminary injunction that would lift a lien placed...

Barnes a no-show for court date

NEWFANE- An Armonk, NY, woman who is suing James Barnes and his Hermitage Inn Real Estate Holding Company for breach of contract had her day in court last week, but neither Barnes nor any attorney for the Hermitage appeared in court.
Last month, the court granted Bettina Bosma’s motion...