https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/general/builder-ai-bankruptcy-reveals-74m-tab-with-mossad-linked-spy-firm-and-top-crisis-lawyers/ar-AA1GwA8B

Builder AI's financial troubles have taken a dramatic turn as court documents unearthed a staggering $100 million (£74.01 million) debt owed to a spy firm reportedly linked with Mossad, alongside substantial fees due to prominent crisis management lawyers.

This revelation casts a new light on the company's downfall and raises significant questions about its operations and expenditures.

Builder.ai went bust, owing money to an Israeli private intelligence outfit, a well-known crisis communications professional, and one of the world's most intimidating legal practices, the London tech group's US bankruptcy filings show.

The Microsoft-backed start-up's main US holding company declared insolvency in Delaware on Monday, exposing outstanding bills and obligations to numerous creditors, from key customers to big tech firms like Amazon and Microsoft.

Among the creditors were Tel Aviv-based private intelligence firm Shibumi Strategy, leading US litigation firm Quinn Emanuel, and Sitrick Group, a Los Angeles public relations company noted for its work in 'crisis communications.'

The three firms were all brought in after a Financial Times report emerged last year, which indicated Builder.ai's co-founders, including chief executive Sachin Dev Duggal, faced criminal investigations in India, according to individuals with direct insight.

The FT also detailed other legal conflicts Duggal, Builder.ai's self-styled 'chief wizard', encountered throughout his professional life. Duggal has, however, refuted any misconduct concerning these affairs, with his lawyers consistently asserting his status as merely a witness in the Indian proceedings.

Builder.ai went into administration last month following an internal inquiry that unearthed signs of potentially fabricated sales. This resulted in revenues reported under Duggal's leadership being cut to merely a quarter of earlier projections.

At the time, Builder.ai chose not to comment, stating its focus was on 'an orderly wind-down and preserving value for employees.' Last year, a letter from Quinn Emanuel, representing Builder.ai and Duggal, reached the FT, contending that the paper's reporting on the tech company's customer dealings may have breached confidentiality.

This US litigation expert is a top choice for major corporations and notable figures caught up in legal battles. Its partners' business cards and emails frequently display the slogan: 'The most feared law firm in the world.' Ctd....