New Hampton Distressed Asset Fund is the owner of BTR but Macquarie and advisers close to BrisConnections are questioning whether the US hedge fund exists. But Mr Byrnes said in an email last night: "The company does exist." He provided no other information and declined to answer the Herald's questions or identify who was behind the fund. According to Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents, its address is the same as Mr Byrnes's home address. Mr Byrnes also lodged a statement of claim in his name in the Federal Court yesterday, as part of his planned $1.3 billion class action against the toll road's advisers, Macquarie Capital Advisers. BTR director Carl Trad, an importer of luxury cars, declined to say how he became involved with the company, except: "I've had some really good advice." When the Herald phoned the Armstrong office in Surfers Paradise, the unidentified person who answered the phone said: "I'm sorry, I'm not giving any interviews to the press, thank you."