US Court Allows Subpoenas for PM Browne’s Son in Alfa Nero Legal Fight

The legal battle surrounding the sale of the Alfa Nero has taken another turn, with a United States federal court allowing evidence to be sought from the son of Prime Minister Gaston Browne and several other individuals and companies in Florida.

Gaston Andron Browne III is among those who may now be subpoenaed for testimony and documents connected to the controversial sale of the 266-foot superyacht.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Marty Fulgueira Elfenbein approved the request on September 7 following an application by Russian citizen Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov, who is seeking evidence for use in legal proceedings outside the United States.

The ruling does not make any finding on the allegations raised by Guryeva-Motlokhov or determine whether they are true. It simply gives her legal authority to seek the requested evidence in the United States.

According to the application, the information could be used in proceedings in Antigua and Barbuda, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

Cromwell Littlejohn, identified as president and chief commercial officer of Northrop & Johnson Yachts-Ships LLC, may also be required to provide testimony and documents. The company is alleged in the application to have played a role in brokering the yacht transaction.

The court also authorized records-only subpoenas directed at corporate representatives of Northrop & Johnson Yachts-Ships LLC, Fraser Yachts Florida Inc. and MarineMax Inc.

Records may also be sought from property developer Warren Halle, who had previously attempted to purchase the Alfa Nero.

The latest court action is part of Guryeva-Motlokhov’s continuing challenge to the seizure and eventual sale of the Cayman Islands-registered vessel by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.

The Alfa Nero was seized in Antigua in 2023 after the government declared it abandoned. Following months of legal and political controversy surrounding the vessel, it was eventually sold in 2024 for US$40 million.

Guryeva-Motlokhov has challenged the circumstances surrounding that transaction, claiming the sale price was about US$60 million below the yacht’s market value.

She further alleges that the vessel was sold to a Maltese company owned by Turkish billionaire Ali Riza Yildirim.

With the Miami court’s approval, Guryeva-Motlokhov can now move forward with efforts to obtain the testimony and records authorized under the order as the wider dispute over the Alfa Nero continues.