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A BC developer's hopelessly complex finances may have been his own downfall in a dispute that landed him with a $17,000 monthly bill for family support.

Ricky Martin Chu only claimed around $20,000 annual income for multiple years, but his family lived a lavish life while he was married.

A BC Supreme Court judge went through a lengthy exercise to determine Chu's income as his explanations failed to add up.

"Chu has arranged his affairs in such a complex fashion that ascertaining his actual financial position is extremely challenging," Justice Ward Branch said.

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It began in 2011 with what could have been a routine purchase of their first home. Justice Branch said the process was "painfully complex," which included Chu's mother as a part owner.

Chu and his wife separated in 2021 and he claims his uncle lived in the home rent-free in 2022 in order to avoid the vacant home tax.

It was made more complex now that Chu's second partner is claiming ownership in a separate case, with whom his ex-wife claims Chu started a "secret family" with.

The home was redeveloped in 2014 and now has an assessed value of $4.5 million.

According to the decision, Chu claims he has worked as a property developer and lender since 2009, but only with "financial assistance from (his mother) and for her benefit."

Justice Branch said Chu has a criminal history, including drug trafficking and possession of prohibited weapons, but the last time he was jailed was 2004 and he was pardoned in 2020.

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His wife didn't work while they were married, but their "lavish" lifestyle included hundreds of thousands in expenses. Chu claimed his annual expenses were more than $800,000, while his ex wife claimed around $165,000.

Despite claiming just $20,000 in annual income from 2018 to 2020, with a jump to $686,000 in 2021, he declared his net worth as between $24 and $29 million to two banks. His finances are entangled with multiple companies, Metro Vancouver properties and luxury cars, according to the court decision.

He told the court he would use company loans for his own expenses, but he had no response when asked why it wasn't declared.

In 2021, the "true purpose" of Chu's "mysterious" financial situation may have been revealed, Justice Branch said. He and his wife exchanged text messages just months before they separated.

"Why are you suddenly asking about France and other countries and how many cars I have and asking about the envelope in the car? You think I'm trying to hide money? That's the whole fuckin' point to hide money," Chu said in a text to his now ex-wife.

Although he says he is now $58 million in debt, his complicated and confusing financial situation, coupled with his current report of more than $800,000 in yearly expenses, left Justice Branch to rule that he should continue supporting his former wife and three kids with a lifestyle that they are familiar with.

Justice Branch ordered Chu to pay $9,850 in child support and $7,000 in spousal support per month until the trial is concluded.

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