Woman sues US Trustee over allegedly false accusations

A New Orleans business woman is suing the federal government and its lawyer after she was accused of wrongful business practices.

Debra Dretar filed the lawsuit against the United States Trustee Region 5 and Robert C. Gravolet Nov. 22 in Orleans Parish District Court.

Dretar contends Gravolet, working as an attorney for the Office of the U.S. Trustee, filed a motion for sanctions against her in May 2009. She claims this action was based on Gravolet's belief that Dretar had acted as a bankruptcy petition preparer but failed to properly fulfill the duties for her client.

Dretar contends the motion was not supported by evidence, a fact she says was known by Gravolet before he filed.

However, according to the lawsuit, Gravolet proceeded with the sanctions against Dretar, only to have the motion denied by the Judge.

Dretar claims that after the hearing to dismiss the sanction against her, Gravolet confronted her and told her he would continue pursuing actions against her as long as she was in business.

Dretar says Gravolet has made this matter a personal one and has abused his power within the U.S. Trustee Program.

Dretar is asking for an unspecified amount of damages and court costs. She is represented by attorney Jason C. Kuczek, of New Orleans.

Orleans Parish District Court case No. 10-11808