First Brands Founder Regains Control of Personal Accounts

First Brands Group founder Patrick James regained control of his personal bank accounts after they were frozen last week as part of a lawsuit accusing him of siphoning large sums from the bankrupt auto parts supplier and overseeing schemes that defrauded lenders.

US Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez sided with James, whose lawyers argued during an unusual, late-night court hearing Monday that First Brands had not met the high legal standard for denying a person access to their bank accounts and other assets.