Several California jewelers are trying to force corrupt Mayor Bill de Blasio donor Jona Rechnitz’s diamond company into bankruptcy in an effort to recoup more than $15 million they say he stole from them.
The involuntary bankruptcy petition was filed by jewelers Victor Noval and Peter Marco, as well as the company First International Diamond Inc., in the Central District of California federal court on Monday night, according to court papers.
Marco is seeking more than $7 million that Rechnitz allegedly owes him, papers show. Noval is asking for almost $6 million and First International Diamond Inc. is seeking nearly $2 million, according to the documents.
The petition targets Rechnitz’s company, Jadelle and Jewelry Diamonds, which is under federal investigation for allegedly bilking investors out of millions of dollars.
Rechnitz, his wife, Rachel, and the company are embroiled in several civil suits because of the alleged scheme, including one by Noval.
Noval claims in his Los Angeles County civil suit that Rechnitz bilked him out of millions through a borrowing scheme allegedly backed by his jewelry clients.
A lawyer for Rechitz did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Noval’s lawyer said Monday’s bankruptcy petition is a first step in victims recovering their losses from the alleged fraudster.
“The current involuntary petition filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court will result in a Trustee being appointed and an order of relief so the process can begin for the recovery of victim funds that were the center of this fraud by Jona and Rachel Rechnitz, along with their entities,” Noval’s lawyer, Ronald Richards, told The Post.
“The Trustee of the Jadelle entities will pursue Jona and Rachel’s transfer of funds to themselves, other family members, and other targets of this large scale scheme to defraud perpetrated by Jona and his accomplices,” he added.
Rechnitz was convicted of siphoning millions of dollars from the New York City correction officers union last year and sentenced to 10 months in prison. He’s free on bail while he appeals the decision.