Judge orders unsealing of France’s documents

Brian France loses appeal

The N.C. Court of Appeals on Monday upheld a Mecklenburg judge's order unsealing the secret documents in NASCAR Chairman Brian France's legal battle with his former wife. The appeals court ruling is the latest twist in Brian and Megan France's efforts to keep secret the details of their legal wrangling and the contents of their separation agreement.

Brian France has sought to scrap the agreement with his ex-wife that calls for him to pay the mother of his two children millions of dollars as well as more than $40,000 a month in alimony and child support. The NASCAR chairman claims Megan France breached their confidential separation agreement.

Brian and Megan France also had sought to have the court hearings closed to the public. The appeals court ruling Monday upholds Mecklenburg District Judge Jena Culler's ruling in August 2011 unsealing the documents in the Frances' litigation. Culler also overturned an order by a former judge sealing the documents in 2008. More at the Charlotte Observer