Billionaire's Bankruptcy

Judge rejects mediation request by Blixseth

   BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) -- A federal judge has denied a request for court-ordered
settlement talks sought by Tim Blixseth, the founder of Montana's Yellowstone
Club for the ultra-rich.
   Blixseth, a resident of Washington state, had requested mediation to resolve the
dozens of legal actions that have arisen since the club went bankrupt in 2008. It's
now under new ownership.
   U.S. District Judge Sam Haddon said in a Wednesday order that he does not
have the jurisdiction to order talks among the many parties involved.
   Among the lawsuits still in play, the state of Montana is seeking $57 million in
alleged back taxes, while Blixseth is seeking billions in damages against Credit
Suisse over a loan that allegedly set the resort up to fail.
   Haddon also denied Blixseth's appeal of the club's 2009 reorganization plan.
   AP-WF-03-08-13 0003GMT