MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Patrick Dempsey ditches Tully’s after dispute with business partner

Aug 23, 2013, 6:09 PM | Updated: Aug 26, 2013, 10:47 am

Actor Patrick Dempsey has given up his stake in the partnership that bought Seattle’s Tully’s Coffee after suing his business partner for $2 million earlier this week.

Dempsey filed suit in King County Superior Court Tuesday against Michael Avenatti, accusing him of borrowing money to provide working capital for Global Baristas, the business set up to run Tully’s under the new ownership, the Puget Sound Business Journal first reported.

“Michael Avenatti never notified me that he intended to have or caused Global Baristas to borrow $2,000,000 for working capital, nor did he notify me that he planned to have or caused the company to pledge substantially all, if not all, of its assets to secure any loan,” Dempsey said in the suit.

Dempsey and Avenatti partnered on the successful bid to win the bankrupt coffee chain earlier this year.

But the “Grey’s Anatomy” star announced Friday he had reached a settlement with the group and was leaving the partnership.

“Although Michael and I have dissolved our business relationship, I am happy to have been a part of the effort that brought awareness to the Tully’s brand. I wish the Company and Michael all the best,” said Dempsey in a statement. “I am happy that we have resolved our differences and have put this behind us, and I know we each wish the other well in our respective future endeavors.”

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Patrick Dempsey ditches Tully’s after dispute with business partner