Dossier: Mikhail Katamanin / Asarco AG / Irving Drobny
1. Mikhail Katamanin – Background & Financial Activity
Nationality: Foreign investor (exact origin not fully confirmed).
Property in U.S.: Highland Park, IL – two mansions:
975 Sheridan Road – nearly 7,000 sq ft, 4½ bathrooms, two fireplaces.
985 Sheridan Road – 10,555 sq ft, 5½ bathrooms, pool, two fireplaces.
Financial Troubles (2008–2009):
Foreclosure on Highland Park mansion – $12 million lawsuit (May 2009).
Filed personal bankruptcy petition June 6, 2009, in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Chicago.
Assets: $1M–$10M; Liabilities: $10M–$50M.
Major debts classified as "primarily consumer," including casinos:
Atlantis, Bahamas
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City
Banking/Trust:
Assets held in trust by Asarco AG (Swiss Bank), which Katamanin controlled.
Swiss arbitration involved for claims related to loans and property.
Interest payments made: ~ $1.67 million.
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2. Asarco AG (Swiss Bank)
Registered: 30 September 1988, Zurich, Switzerland
Legal Form: Corporation (Aktiengesellschaft)
Capital: CHF 100,000
Addresses: Usteristrasse 11, 8001 Zurich
Alternate Names: Asarco Inc., Asarco SA
Activities:
Financial transactions of all kinds
Execution of financings
Trust functions and advisory services
Can participate in other enterprises, own/sell property, patents, rights, licenses
Notable Connections:
Attorney: Irving Drobny (Chicago)
Representation overlaps with Imperial Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam
Public Records: Commercial register entries showing mutations of directors and address changes between 1997–2006.
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3. Attorney: Irving Drobny
Practice: 48 years in Chicago, deceased 2021 (obituary published Feb 2, 2021).
Roles & Representation:
Represented Asarco AG in U.S., including lakefront property liens.
Represented Imperial Nguyen Dynasty (Vietnam) by appointment to Imperial Grand Council and Prince Regent Nguyen Phuc Buu Chanh.
Legal counsel for Transpacific Group (TPEG, Dallas/HCMC) – international business advisory.
Notable Activity Timeline:
July 2009: Representing Katamanin and Asarco AG regarding gambling-related debts.
Aug 2009: Involved in U.S. court filings for Asarco AG as trustee of Katamanin properties.
Dec 2009: Blog and public mentions confirm dual roles (Swiss bank + Royal Vietnamese clients).
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4. Relevant Blogs / Articles / Sources
1. EPGTLO Blog Posts (2009–2010) – primary source for cross-referencing attorney and bank relationships.
Investor who controls Swiss Bank ASARCO facing foreclosure
Asarco AG Swiss Bank
Gambling debts in Bahamas, Las Vegas, Atlantic City
2. Crain’s Chicago Business (May 19, 2009) – foreclosure claims and trustee information.
3. ChicagoRealEstateDaily / Crain links – detail financial and property claims.
4. Moneyhouse.ch & Edoceo.ch – Swiss corporate registration and commercial register data.
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5. Key Observations / Interpretations
1. Swiss Banking Linkage:
Asarco AG acts as a trust and holding entity for Katamanin’s U.S. properties and international financial interests.
Swiss arbitration suggests cross-border legal strategy to protect assets.
2. Dual Role of Irving Drobny:
His simultaneous representation of a Swiss bank and a foreign royal family is unusual and indicates high-level international legal work.
Could suggest overlap between private banking, asset protection, and international business advisement.
3. Gambling and Consumer Debts:
Katamanin’s high-profile debts to international casinos likely triggered foreclosure and bankruptcy, necessitating Drobny’s representation in both U.S. courts and Swiss arbitration.
4. Corporate Network:
Connections to Dallas-based Transpacific Group suggest potential Vietnam-U.S. business linkages, possibly through Drobny’s advisory role.
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6. Next Steps / Research Leads
1. Swiss Sources:
Swiss commercial registers (CH-020.3.901.838-1) for director and ownership mutations post-2009.
Any filings under Asarco AG in Swiss arbitration or court cases.
2. U.S. Legal Records:
Lake County Circuit Court – foreclosure and lien filings on 975/985 Sheridan Road (2008–2009).
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Illinois – Katamanin personal bankruptcy filings.
3. Attorney Background:
Further obituaries, law firm archives, or bar association records to validate Drobny’s role in cross-border representation.
4. Vietnam / International Business Links:
Transpacific Group (TPEG) filings and historical projects in HCMC.
Nguyen Dynasty appointment records (public/archival sources).
