Ex-San Antonio attorney Christopher Pettit bought a mansion in Golden Oak, Fla. — part of Walt Disney World Resort — last year. He has valued the property at $6.4 million.Ex-San Antonio attorney Christopher “Chris” Pettit — accused of looting clients’ money — narrowly avoided being held in contempt of court for withdrawing more than $186,000 from his retirement accounts after filing for bankruptcy.
Calling it a “very close” ruling, Gargotta said he was “not ready to find Mr. Pettit in contempt” after a hearing that stretched over three days. The evidence was “mixed” on whether Pettit has cooperated with the trustee, he said. Pettit, 55, has said the retirement money is exempt from the bankruptcy estate — and out of the reach of his creditors — because the accounts were funded with legitimate earnings under federal laws. He says he’s thus free to use the money as he wishes. Terry has countered that no decision has been made on whether the money is exempt.
“I don’t know that monetary sanctions at this point in time are going to be sufficient,” the judge added. “So I’ll have to provide an incentive, if you will, to make sure Mr. Pettit is cooperative with the trustee and any other parties in interest.”