| Archive for June, 2010 |
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| Posted by Janice | Permalink | 5 Comments | Add a comment |
Former Fort Lauderdale judge and New York City cab driver, Larry Seidlin, re-emerged last week with the release of his new book “The Killing of Anna Nicole Smith.” Three years ago, the dispute over Anna Nicole Smith’s final resting place catapulted Seidlin into the national spotlight with his odd, emotion filled ruling. After a six day trial, Seidlin promised not to discuss the case again, yet it seems outside entities forced him into the public eye again, as revealed on the TODAY show where he confessed “so much information came [his] way” that his “hands are dirty finding all of this information.”
Seidlin’s tough critique of Smith’s former lawyer and companion, Howard K. Stern, emphasizes an important aspect of the case. Fortunately, courtroom pressure forced Stern to give testimony admitting his role in providing Smith with drugs that eventually killed her. Stern admitted “in the courtroom that he obtained Anna Nicole’s drugs and got these drugs in other people’s names.” Though it appeared the case was closed, numerous events triggered a new interest for Seidlin – the role of celebrity enablers and facilitators. Upon re-examining the case, he realized he may have set a significant precedent.
Since Anna Nicole Smith’s death, other celebrities such as, Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, and Brittany Murphy, also suffered “accidental deaths.” Whether for love, fame, or, money, it seems Stern facilitated Smith’s drug addiction. He was present when both she and her son, Daniel, mysteriously passed away, leading Seidlin to believe he played a role in the lethal mix of drugs. In fact, “the nine bottles of prescription medications that were found in her room at the Hard Rock were prescribed in his name.” Where do we draw the line between an enabler and a facilitator?
Seidlin is convinced Stern is the mastermind behind Smith’s estate. According to Seidlin, Stern knew he may not be the biological father of Smith’s only living descendant, but desperately hoped for a chance at $$$. It seems Anna Nicole Smith wanted Stern to be the father of her daughter, or, she might have named another person on Dannielynn’s birth certificate.
The timing is perfect for the release of Seidlin’s new book, as Stern’s criminal trial is set to begin August 4th. Perhaps the Los Angeles criminal court will also set precedent regarding criminal culpability of drug facilitators. Seidlin’s sentiment is quite frank in his new book: enabling a celebrity’s addiction is not the way to millions of dollars, as perhaps Stern thought it was, but instead, Stern could be headed to jail for such actions. Lady Justice will keep you abreast of any new developments.
June 30th, 2010
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| Posted by Janice | Permalink | 11 Comments | Add a comment |
Just weeks after a federal appeals court ruled Anna Nicole Smith’s estate was not entitled to any of her late husband’s fortune, Larry Birkhead went on a whirlwind publicity tour to announce personal items from the former Playmate’s estate would be sold at public auction last weekend in Las Vegas. Birkhead appeared on the TODAY show, MSNBC and E! News with his young daughter Dannielynn, sole heir to Smith’s estate. Throughout this tour, outlets reported a portion of profits from the auction will be given to two charities – PETA and the Anna Nicole and Daniel Wayne Smith Foundation. In fact, the official auction booklet featured a letter written by Birkhead stating as much.
As Chuck Muth noted recently in Nevada News & Views – “Anna Nicole Smith Auction in Vegas Big Rip-Off?” – motives for hosting this auction are highly suspect. In addition to the question of exactly who will receive profits from last weekend, there are two legal issues at play here: the fiduciary responsibility of Howard K. Stern – Smith’s former companion now accused of contributing to her death – as executor of the estate and the questionable decisions of Birkhead as guardian of the sole heir. Stern and Birkhead’s legal right to sell off assets of the estate and divert funds away from Smith’s daughter by giving profits to charity is, at best, questionable.
Redirecting funds away from the sole heir clearly violates the deceased’s intent. Smith’s will does not authorize charitable giving in any capacity. It permits the executor to retain property, make investments, defer distributions, obtain advisors and make tax decisions for the sole purpose of building and benefiting the estate. Smith’s clear intent was to bequeath ALL assets to her child. When the court named Dannielynn the sole heir, the most logical and legally sound action was to essentially delete Smith’s deceased son Daniel’s name from the will and replace it with Dannielynn’s. All other provisions should remain the same.
The only reasonable, legal explanation for these actions is if charitable contributions will significantly reduce estate taxes owed by the heir in the future. In this case, the executor must act to benefit the overall health of the estate and its beneficiaries. Extensive documentation should be provided to backup any such claim. As the Anna Nicole and Daniel Wayne Smith Foundation does not hold tax exempt status with the IRS, Dannielynn is responsible for tax payments if the estate donates money – making the lone explanation moot.
Even if Birkhead, as Dannielynn’s guardian offers permission to Stern then diverting money rightfully owed to the sole heir is not in the best interest of the child. As Birkhead tearfully expressed a need for money to ensure a safe childhood for his daughter in the national media, he simultaneously acts to diminish the financial health of the estate. A Los Angeles Superior Court did grant permission for the auction itself. Even by Stern’s own admission he only “asked the court permission to conduct the auction to boost the inheritance of Smith’s three-year-old daughter Dannielynn Hope” – not to divert funds to any charitable organization. Both Stern and Birkhead sit on the board of this alleged charity begging the question – do they stand to profit by diverting funds from the sole heir to the foundation?
The mere existence of the Anna Nicole and Daniel Wayne Smith Foundation is suspect and both Stern and Birkhead’s authority to permit the auction in the first place is questionable. If liquidation of assets from the estate is allowed to continue then all profits should go into a trust to be paid out to the beneficiary as outlined in the will – one third paid at age 25, one half at age 30 and the remainder at age 35. Charitable giving is, of course, commendable. If the assets of Smith’s estate are to go to charity then it should be done when Dannielynn, the sole heir, is of age to make that decision and is free to select legitimate charities herself.
June 28th, 2010
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| Posted by Janice | Permalink | 5 Comments | Add a comment |
DNA evidence from skin found underneath Stephany Flores’ fingernails points to a massive struggle that the slain Peruvian woman was likely engaged in before her death. Peruvian police have divulged that it may take several weeks for the evidence to be positively linked to a specific individual, the prime suspect being Joran van der Sloot.
Other forensic tests involve her clothing, shoes, and a tennis racquet obtained from a Lima hotel room, the scene of the crime. Allegedly, after murdering Flores, the dangerous Dutchman used sheets and a bedspread to clean up her blood, yet strangely, he left them in the room. Lady Justice will keep you abreast…
June 25th, 2010
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| Posted by Janice | Permalink | 3 Comments | Add a comment |
Despite 3 dissenters, yesterday, the United States Supreme Court rightfully ruled that Americans are barred from providing support (via money, arms, training, advice, assistance, etcetera…) to any foreign terrorist organization. The decision cleared up a nebulous area in two previous decisions regarding the legality of punishing activities not linked to terrorism.
The law stems from a Los Angeles based ‘Humanitarian’ Law Project that wants to provide support to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (“PKK”) for the purpose of filing human rights complaints before the UN, and coordinating peace negotiations with Turkey. Yet, for years our State Department has deemed PKK a terrorist threat, and so this decision supports the assertion that any interaction with similar groups would serve to embolden, empower and legitimize their cause.
June 22nd, 2010
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| Posted by Janice | Permalink | 3 Comments | Add a comment |
The results of a recent study by Michigan University’s, Dr. Christine Stanik, reveals that women with limited education and poor career prospects usually attract men who could provide them a stable financial future. This behavior has evolved with societal reinforcement, and greed is not necessarily the only impetus.
Dr. Stanik posits: “In ancient times, women evolved an attraction to men with wealth because they knew such a mate could improve the chances of their offspring’s survival…It is a very strong gut feeling that is hard to shake off, especially when a woman does not have her own career which would give her financial independence.” Interestingly, Anna Nicole Smith, the oft-referenced tragic figure discussed in several posts, was one of Dr. Stanik’s examples.
June 22nd, 2010
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