Croatian businessman Tomislav Debeljak and DIV Group took over the Kleven shipyard in Sunnmøre in 2020. Only three months passed and then the shipyard was declared bankrupt and 441 employees were laid off. The bankruptcy estate of Kleven Verft sued the Croatian owner and their insurance company for up to NOK 136 million. Debeljak has now been acquitted in the Hordaland district court, writes nettstaden nett.no In the district court in November there were spectacular allegations against the owner that he allegedly threatened the financial manager to transfer all the money Kleven Verft has to an account in Croatia. He rejected these debts in court. – The fact that I was blamed for stealing something (the cash register) shocked me, as I have nine children and am a serious businessman, he said. Debeljak’s lawyers, on the other hand, blamed the banks for the bankruptcy of Kleven Verft. – I have never experienced similar behavior from banks as I have experienced here, said Debeljak. He meant that he was both misunderstood and opposed by key personnel and the banks of Kleven Verft. It was also claimed that some would have dual roles that worked against the new Croatian owner. The verdict was served on the parties on Thursday. The court case about Kleven shipyard This is the case: Croatian Tomislav Debeljak and his DIV Group bought the 80-year-old Kleven shipyard in Ulsteinvik on Sunnmøre in March 2020. The shipyard was declared bankrupt three months later, and 441 employees were laid off. Now the bankruptcy estate of Kleven Verft is suing the Croatian owner and their insurance company for up to NOK 166 million. The trial will take place in Bergen and will last for two weeks starting on 8 November 2023.
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Former Kleven owner, Tomislav Debeljak, acquitted in lawsuit – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
