Broke Blake doesn't want to pay $30 mil.
Hey, remember a guy named Robert Blake? Used to be an actor? In the eyes of the law, he's not a criminal, since he was acquitted in 2005 on a murder charge in the death of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley. But he is liable, on the civil side, for 30 million smackers, since a jury found him liable for her 2001 death from gunshots outside a Studio City restaurant.
Well, Bobby B. was back in court -- or at least his lawyer was -- on Tuesday, arguing that the jury sucked and thus he shouldn't have to pay. If I were on the hook for that much dough, I think I'd try the same thing. The Bakley family, understandably, sees things a little differently.
Bakley family lawyer Eric Dubin responded that while the jury may have committed some minor errors, the verdict should stand. "Either you're going to trust the system or you're not. These jurors were good people. They worked hard."
It's probably a fairly academic argument, since Blake has consistently claimed to have no dough to speak of since he got out of jail. Still, the family wants some sort of economic justice, and he's probably got some residuals from his "Baretta" and "In Cold Blood" days, so they're not going to roll over.
And, since we're on the subject, I thought I'd drag out an old story I wrote in my business section days that I thought was kinda funny. Given the trashy subject, I tried to give it a tabloid treatment and probably had way too much fun with the whole thing. Happy reading...
Originally published October 15, 2005
STUDIO CITY - Robert Blake's supposed ``hush-hush and very confidential'' deal to buy the landmark Vitello's Italian restaurant, is neither, nor does it even exist.
The National Enquirer claimed this week that the controversial actor, acquitted of murdering his wife Bonny Lee Bakley earlier this year but still facing a civil suit by her heirs, had bought the old neighborhood joint, which both sells a dish that bears his name and was the site of her final meal. The Mike Walker gossip column broke the supposed news, which then filtered into various talk shows and TV outlets.
The only trouble: It ain't true. Customers are aghast, lawyers are pointing fingers and the restaurant's actual owner, Matt Epstein, is hopping mad.
``They're not true statements!'' Epstein confides, using decidedly non- hush-hush tones. ``As far as I know, I own the place. C'mon, basic journalism, verify the facts! All they had to do was pick up the phone and call me. There's no one buying the place.''
Walker's column predicted that the sale would make the storied restaurant ``hotter than a $2 pistol'' and serve as the centerpiece for a reality show and tourist spot.
The longtime proprietors, the Restivo brothers, retired and sold to Epstein, a real estate broker, six months ago. He declined to share the sale price, other than noting it was ``a lot of money'' for both the restaurant and the land.
On Friday, Epstein's lawyer sent a letter to American Media Inc., publisher of the tabloid, demanding that the story be retracted. Though Epstein says he doesn't like lawsuits, the letter threatens ``all necessary actions to protect our clients' property.''
Another source close to Blake, who demanded anonymity to protect their relationship, snickered when told of the report. And the tempestuous actor, who favors fusilli mixed with garlic, spinach and tomatoes, is reportedly too broke to buy a restaurant.
``I have no idea where the National Enquirer would have gotten that idea, but then again, I don't have any idea where they get any of their so-called news,'' said Peter Ezzell, Blake's attorney in the civil case being heard in Los Angeles Superior Court in Burbank. ``He doesn't have the funds to do it even if he wanted. We're running on empty now, so the last month of this trial will be my pro bono work for the year.''
Representatives of American Media Inc. did not return several calls seeking comment.
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