A Michigan judge ordered former Stoli Group general counsel Todd Culyba to appear for an in-person deposition on May 20, 2026, after finding that Stoli attorneys improperly blocked his testimony about Angelina Jolie's 2021 sale of her Chateau Miraval stake.
The ruling partially granted a motion by Brad Pitt, allowing his legal team up to one hour of continued questioning.
>>> Ground Movement Forces Evacuation of 60 Homes in Scottish Village
The court determined that attorney-client privilege does not cover the business aspects of the transaction, which involves Jolie's sale of her 50 percent share in the 1,200-acre French winery valued at $164 million.
The legal dispute began in February 2022 when Pitt filed a lawsuit seeking $35 million in damages.
He claimed Jolie violated a contractual agreement by selling her stake to Tenute del Mondo, a Stoli Group subsidiary, without his consent.
Culyba previously avoided 33 questions during a December 2025 deposition on instructions from Stoli attorneys.
The blocked inquiries involved the role of Russian businessman Yuri Shefler, the beneficial owner of Stoli Group, in acquiring the winery share.
The ruling follows a May 5, 2026, decision by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Cindy Pánuco, who denied Pitt's motion to compel Jolie to release 22 private emails protected by attorney-client privilege.
The multi-jurisdictional litigation has faced logistical challenges.
In April 2026, Pitt's team requested an April 2027 trial date due to the death of one key witness and the illness of another.
Jolie sought a delay until September 2027. The court scheduled the trial for February 2027.
>>> Focus Features Acquires Horror Film Obsession for $14 Million
Amid the legal battles, personal developments surround the former couple, who share six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne.
Media attention recently shifted to reports of the children legally dropping "Pitt" from their surnames.
Sources noted tension regarding Pitt's absence from daughter Zahara's graduation from Spelman College on May 17, 2026.
An insider told the Daily Mail, "You can't have it both ways – to promote a complete estrangement and then criticise someone for not going to an event when you've made sure that they would not be welcome."
The source alleged an ongoing campaign has affected the relationship between Pitt and his children. "There has been a campaign of alienation [by Jolie] which has been successful.
The antagonism is huge. He has been alienated from the kids completely.
It is devastating to him," the insider added.
Jolie previously accused Pitt of physical and verbal abuse during a 2016 plane incident, allegations that Pitt and his legal team have denied.
>>> Pacific Storms Bring Drastic Cold and Rain to Western Washington
Discovery for the vineyard ownership dispute must conclude by late 2026 ahead of the scheduled trial.
