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Balcones drops restraining order on Chip Tate
The board of directors at Balcones Distillery in Texas have agreed to drop their temporary restraining order (TRO) against founder Chip Tate, so long as he stays away from the premises for another week.
Chip Tate will soon be allowed to revisit the distillery he founded six years ago for the first time in three months
A hearing to consider Tate’s request to drop the TRO had been scheduled for 27 November, but has now been cancelled since the directors and Tate came to a mutual agreement.
However, the settlement is on the condition that Tate refrains from visiting the distillery in Waco until 5 December to allow both parties to enjoy the Thanksgiving holidays.
The decision comes after Judge Jim Meyer of Waco’s 170th State District Court ruled last week that the Balcones board’s decision in August to suspend Tate was invalid, and that the distiller must be present at all board meetings in the future.
Tate’s attorney, David Cloutson, said: “The judge ruled that the board doesn’t have the authority to act without Chip, and that would include bringing this case. I don’t think anyone is giving up hope for a resolution, but I think the longer it takes, the less likely it becomes.”
Tate has previously stated that the relationship between himself and PE Investors, the main shareholder in Balcones and dominant presence of the board led by Greg Allen – would need to resign in order for the rift to be resolved.