First Brands’ Elusive Ex-CEO Will Push to Unfreeze Disputed Cash

In just over a month, First Brands Group’s former chief executive Patrick James has gone from running the auto-parts firm to fighting it for control of hundreds of millions of dollars he’s accused of misappropriating for supercars and mansions.

The change of fortune for James is poised to come to a head Monday in Houston when his lawyers demand a judge release his bank accounts and other assets that were temporarily frozen last week after First Brands’ new managers sued him.

James, a previously little-known CEO until First Brands’ collapse revealed a $10 billion bill to some of ...