Nicole Perrin (right) leaves the Supreme Court in Brisbane with her legal team last year. Photo: Michelle Smith
NICOLE Perrin, the former wife of one-time Billabong chief executive Matthew Perrin, successfully fought off Commonwealth Bank's bid to claim her Gold Coast mansion after her husband admitted to forging her signature on bank mortgage documents.
Now she has another case pending, with an announcement on the stock exchange yesterday from litigation funder IMF that it will back legal action brought by Julie Williams, the liquidator of the Perrin's family company Christie Qld Pty Ltd.
Christie Qld Pty Ltd collapsed in 2009, and now has creditor claims against it for $51 million - of which Nicole Perrin, who has reverted to her maiden name, Bricknell, accounts for $21 million.
It will be alleged that funds withdrawn by Mrs Perrin were preferential, and voidable director-related transactions. About $6 million, which includes interest, will be claimed.
Mr Perrin and his brothers were directors of a company that later became the listed Billabong entity.
In 2002, Matthew Perrin sold his stake and Christie Qld received $63 million. Mr Perrin is now bankrupt after failed investments, many in China.
