Former Huntington Town House Owner Claims Former Partner Bilked Her of Millions
The woman who owned and operated the huge Huntington Town House catering business on Long Island has filed suit against her former lover, claiming that he defrauded her of millions of dollars. Rhona Silver says in her lawsuit that she was introduced to businessman Barry Newman , a real estate developer, by a rabbi in 2003. On their first date, according to Silver, Newman flew her to Boston on a private plane, where the two had a seafood dinner. On their next date, he allegedly took her to Rome.
As their relationship developed, claims Silver, she came to trust Newman and turned over control of her finances to him. She likened his presence in her life to that of Maurice Tempelsman, who managed Jackie O’s affairs after the death of Aristotle Onassis. A single mom at the time, Silver was moved by Newman’s promise to “take care of you and your family forever.”
In 2007, according to court documents, Newman negotiated a deal to sell the Huntington Town House property to Lowe’s Home Improvement, a sale that netted $38.5 million. Silver, however, claims that she never saw any of the profit from the sale of the property. Furthermore, she claims that, even though she owned the property, she was never advised of a time and place for the closing of the sale, did not attend the closing, and personally signed no documents to complete the transaction. Instead, she alleges, Newman forged her signature on the relevant sales documents, took the proceeds from the sale, and skipped town.
The documents accompanying Silver’s lawsuit include an affidavit from a forensic document examiner, who asserts that at least two of the three signatures purported to be Silver’s on the closing documents are forged. Examiner Andrew Sulner says that all three are exactly identical, which in essentially impossible with personal signatures. He concludes that at least two and possibly all three signatures are fakes.
Silver, who now runs an online catering business, claims she is now without the resources to support herself and must rely on friends to get by. Newman, though, claims that Silver was “a damsel in distress” when he met her and that Silver used the proceeds from the sale to fund a “lavish lifestyle.”
Famed Caterer Says Ex-Lover Defrauded Her
Contact an Experienced New York Divorce and Family Law Attorney
At the law office of Chris Palermo, Esq., we bring more than 13 years of experience to men and women in divorce and family law matters, representing clients across Long Island. To learn more about our practice, see our divorce and family law page. For an appointment, send us an e-mail or call us toll free at 1-800-483-1527. We have offices located in Huntington, Hauppauge, Garden City, Babylon and New York City.
Fined $10,000 for Bullying Judge and Attorney | Denied Custody of Minor Child
A patent attorney was fined $10,000 for what presiding judge Matthew Cooper called “a maelstrom of misconduct” during divorce proceedings last September in Manhattan Supreme Court. According to Cooper, attorney Anthony Zappin used his law license as “a tool to threaten, bully and intimidate” throughout the course of the divorce proceedings.
Zappin’s wife, Claire Comfort, also a patent attorney in Manhattan, filed for divorce from Zappin last year. Zappin sought unsupervised custody of the couple’s two-year-old son. The court then appointed attorney Harriet Cohen as guardian ad litem to help determine the best interests of the child. When Cohen recommended that Zappin only be allowed supervised visitation, Zappin apparently unleashed a string of online attacks against Cohen. Documenting what he perceived to be continued bad behavior by Zappin, Judge Cooper levied the fine. Zappin then accused the judge of putting “personal animus over the welfare of our child.” According to sources, Zappin was terminated by his employer in the wake of the court-imposed fine.
This week, Judge Cooper issued a 101 page ruling, confirming the recommendation of the guardian ad litem, allowing only supervised visits, and subjecting Zappin to a five year protective order. Concluding that Zappin had an “anti-social personality disorder,” Cooper awarded full legal and physical custody to Comfort. The judge concluded that evidence introduced at the 13 day trial demonstrated that Zappin had physically abused his wife at least eight times during her pregnancy, and had waged what Cooper called “a war of intimate terrorism.” The judge also expressed his concern that, given Zappin’s “coercive, controlling behavior” and his “explosive anger and inability to control his emotions,” the child’s personal safety was a concern. He also feared that Zappin’s behavior would be a sign to the boy that violence was acceptable in interpersonal relationships.
New York Attorney Sanctioned for Behavior in Divorce Proceeding
Contact an Experienced New York Divorce and Family Law Attorney
At the law office of Chris Palermo, Esq., we bring more than 13 years of experience to men and women in divorce and family law matters, representing clients across Long Island. To learn more about our practice, see our divorce and family law page. For an appointment, send us an e-mail or call us toll free at 1-800-483-1527. We have offices located in Huntington, Hauppauge, Garden City, Babylon and New York City.
All seems so final when a divorce ends and the court delivers final judgments for child support, custody and visitation. However, people in all walks of life often have problems with judgments post divorce. Their ex spouses don’t come through with child support payment or keep visitation schedules. So, what can you do? “Enforcement” is the word used when you seek legal help to enforce a court order because your ex is not complying with settlement agreements or the court’s decisions.
People Magazine recently published an article that Denise Richards filed a $1.2 million lawsuit against her ex husband Charlie Sheen because she was having trouble collecting child support. According to a source for the article, Denise took legal action to protect their children’s trust. As part of the divorce, a trust was set up for their children Sam, 11 years old and Lola, 10 years old. Sheen paid millions to cover up an HIV scandal and is not pulling in the $10 million a year that he was formerly from acting work. Denise Richards said that collecting child support payments has been like pulling teeth.
When income situations change significantly, you have the option to seek modification of an existing court order. Non-complying with a judgment is never the right solution because it can put lead to enforcement actions and even put you in contempt with court orders.
Everyday people often face problems too, like an ex spouse who promised to pay for summer camp or college and later reneges on the agreement. Unfortunately the children are the ones who suffer.
If you’re struggling with enforcement problems, consult with attorney Chris Palermo. As an experienced Long Island divorce lawyer Chris offers compassionate legal counsel and can help you enforce custody and child support agreements.