Divorce turns sour
A New York construction exec Michael Clarke has filed a lawsuit against his ex-wife, Concetta Clarke, alleging the intentional destruction of his 400-bottle wine collection, valued at $300,000, following their divorce in July of last year. The couple, who were married for nearly 20 years before parting ways, owned a $3 million contemporary log home in Windham, Upstate New York, which became Michael’s property after the split.
Wine collection becomes a source of contention
The lawsuit, obtained by The Independent, claims that Concetta disconnected the electricity service to the house without notifying Michael, resulting in the destruction of the wine collection, which was stored in a climate-controlled room powered by the electricity service. According to Michael, his ex-wife’s “disinterested malevolence” caused irreparable damage to his investment.
The lawsuit’s allegations
The lawsuit asserts that after their divorce, Concetta agreed to transfer her share of the house to Michael and was no longer responsible for the property’s utilities. However, in September 2023, Concetta allegedly removed both her and Michael’s names from the New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) service account, leading to the loss of refrigeration for the wine collection. Michael claims that this action was intentional and aimed at harming him, citing a stipulation in their divorce agreement which made the home’s contents solely his.
Legal demands
Michael is now seeking $600,000 in damages, including legal costs and interest from October 2023, for the destruction of his wine collection. Concetta has not responded publicly to the allegations and has three weeks to formally respond to the court.
The suit highlights how high-value assets, such as wine collections, can become points of conflict in high-stakes divorces. Michael’s attorney, Matthew Keating, has not commented on the case, and Concetta has yet to secure legal representation. The case underscores the complexities of dividing valuable property in contentious divorces and the potential for unexpected consequences.