Tony O’Reilly’s battle with former nurse heating up

Alleged promise of $23 million at the centre of the dispute

Tony O’Reilly, the former chairman and chief executive of HeinzGetty Images

Tony O’Reilly’s bid to fend off a multimillion-dollar civil action in the United States moved forward on Thursday when Pennsylvania bankruptcy judge Jeffery Deller set a hearing date of January 15 to decide whether the former billionaire could avail of a rarely used Chapter 15 bankruptcy proceeding.

The move by O’Reilly’s lawyers, if successful, would block a breach of contract claim by Sabina Vidunas. His former nurse, masseuse and personal assistant is demanding ...