Joe Lewis’ Habit of Tipping Off Staff, Lover Ends In Court (1)

On the edge of Lago Escondido in Argentina’s northern Patagonia, at the foot of snow-capped mountains, lies British billionaire Joe Lewis’ sprawling property. He frequently uses the luxurious estate to entertain public officials and employees handpicked from the top ranks of Lewis’ investment firm and other companies that the 86-year-old has an interest in.

During one visit in 2006, more than a dozen businessmen went horseback riding and fishing and admired what appeared to be Picasso’s Le Reve and two versions of the Women of Algiers on the walls of Lewis’ villa, photos obtained by Bloomberg show. Trips like ...