New Companies, Same Faces Behind the Scenes
After the judgment, Wink—who had no prior role in BDDW—allegedly created a series of new entities to absorb the company’s assets. Among them were BDDW Auctions and Red Lion Furniture Manufacturing, as well as Boston Hiker LLC and Berks Schoolhouse LLC.
Thorson’s complaint claims these companies became repositories for the assets Hays sought to hide, including furniture inventory, equipment, real estate, and customer goodwill.
The transfers allegedly included:
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Moving ownership of BDDW’s Philadelphia warehouse to Wink’s companies.
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Reassigning the lease of the Los Angeles showroom to BDDW Auctions.
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Transferring a converted Catholic school building housing Schoolhouse LLC.
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Placing a $5.5 million mortgage lien on a Philadelphia rowhouse in Wink’s favor.
Despite these changes, Hays allegedly remained in full control of the new businesses, continuing to run operations, direct designs, and profit from the assets.
‘He Still Benefits,’ Complaint Says
Thorson’s filing accuses Hays of continuing to live off the very assets that should have been used to satisfy the judgment.
“At all times since the transfers, Hays has continued to enjoy the benefit of the assets transferred… managing design, inventory, and sales through Red Lion and BDDW Auction,” the complaint reads.
Thorson’s legal team, George C. Zumbano and Jake D. Becker of Lamb McErlane PC, are asking the court to void the alleged transfers under the Pennsylvania Uniform Voidable Transactions Act, effectively unwinding the scheme and restoring assets to pay the unpaid wages.
