Defunct movie studio tied to Saints money dispute ordered into liquidation

Studio tied to Saints dispute ordered liquidated

NEW ORLEANS — A judge is ordering into liquidation a defunct Louisiana movie studio tied to a $1.7 million dispute with New Orleans Saints players and coaches.

A judge issued the order Tuesday after being told talks with potential buyers of Louisiana Film Studios LLC had not produced results and that the studio had ceased operations.

The order means a court-appointed trustee can track down assets that could be used to at least partially pay the studio’s creditors, including Saints head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees.

About a dozen other current and former Saints paid for what they thought would be state movie industry tax credits. State officials said the studio never applied for the credits, which were supposed to pay $1.33 for each dollar invested.