It would never have been what I’d have done but my DH, having been friends with Gary for over 20 years trusted Gary. Having supported Gary through his divorce and subsequent depression, my DH thought Gary and him were close.
Gary and one of Gary’s friend’s started a kids sports club. Had been going for a few years and was a success and Gary asked my husband if he’d like to invest. My DH saw the business was profitable and invested 2k into it. This was a few years ago. We didn’t see any return from the investment, it started within the business.
In Gary’s personal life, after many years single, he started seeing someone seriously and they got engaged. From this summer onwards Gary distanced himself from my DH along with a hobby group they shared. Gary would arrange to meet up with my DH then either not show up or cancel at the last minute. He’d see my DH in town and actively avoid. Gary and his now fiancée deleted all social media and Gary changed his mobile number.
My DH got an email from Gary saying the business he’d invested in had been liquidated. The business is still running but separately in different towns so not the original name but basically the same business. Gary and the original owner have dissolved the business and gone their separate ways. Gary basically said investment has gone. DH is hurt. The loss of the money is a blow but he’s really upset about Gary’s actions. Especially as the business was liquidated in the summer with no word to my DH.
DH has called and emailed Gary as he wants to talk about what happened to the business, see the accounts (there’s nothing on companies house as they are quite small) and Gary is ignoring him. DH knows Gary’s mum who did all the accounts and is a really nice woman. I’ve been wondering if DH should approach her so he can review the accounts to see who got paid at the end. DH seems unable to do anything. He’s usually confrontational but is saying he’ll wait and see what Gary says. Gary hasn’t responded to the last email which was sent at least a month ago.
I’m unsure what to advise DH to do. The longer this goes on, the longer nothing happens. He may get nothing back but I think it needs to be resolved for him sooner rather than later. We’ve got two children with special needs and our social circle is very small and my DH is feeling the loss of his friendship with Gary.