Life Man (48) Adopts Girlfriend (42) before Civil Suit Over DUI Death

Deberg_1990 · 02-02-2012, 09:42 AM

A wealthy Florida polo club founder has adopted his longtime adult girlfriend in what attorneys believe may be a legal maneuver to protect his financial assets as he faces a trial for a drunk driving incident that killed a 23-year-old.

John Goodman, 48, formally adopted Heather Laruso Hutchins, 42, in October 2011. The couple started dating in 2009. Goodman is the founder of the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Fla.

West Palm Beach Judge Glenn Kelley wrote in a court order that the twists in the case "border on the surreal and take the Court into a legal twilight zone."

"The Defendant has effectively diverted a significant portion of the assets of the children's trust to a person with whom he is intimately involved at a time when his personal assets are largely at risk in this case," the judge wrote.

Goodman is being sued by Lili and William Wilson for the wrongful death of their son Scott Patrick Wilson, who come home from college for his sister's birthday, and died in a car crash on Feb. 12, 2010.

According to police, Goodman, who was driving a Bentley, ran a stop sign and slammed into Wilson's car. Goodman did not call police or an ambulance, and left the crash scene on foot, police said. It was determined that Goodman's blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.

Man Adopts Girlfriend, 42, Before Civil Suit Over DUI Death

Goodman's civil trial is set for March 27 and his criminal trial for charges of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash is on March 6. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

None of Goodman's biological children have reached the age of 35, the pre-determined age at which they can control their trust funds. Since Hutchins is over the age of 35, her adoption entitles her immediately to a one-third beneficiary interest in the trust.

The court had previously ruled that the assets owned by Goodman's children could not be considered part of his net worth in the calculations for assessing punitive damages for the Wilson family, but the family thinks the adoption should change the ruling.

"Plaintiffs view the adoption of Ms. Hutchins as a 'game-changer' and as grounds to now include the assets of the children's trust, at least in some fashion, in the punitive damages calculation," Kelley wrote.

Attorneys representing the Wilsons believe that the move is Goodman's way of maintaining control of his money.

"By way of this adoption John Goodman effectively owns or has direct control of one-third of the trust assets," Wilson family attorney Scott Smith told ABCNews.com in an email. "It cannot go unrecognized that he has adopted his 42-year-old adult girlfriend as opposed to a child in need."

Goodman's attorney Dan Bachi did not respond to requests for comment, but Kelley wrote in his motion that Goodman claims the adoption is unrelated and that he does not benefit from it.

"Mr. Goodman asserts that the adoption makes Ms. Hutchings a beneficiary and, until a probate court holds otherwise, this Court will assume this is true," Kelley wrote.

The judge wrote that a probate court with jurisdiction over the trust will determine whether the adoption is a "sham," as it relates to the children's trust.

On Jan. 25, a Palm Beach County judge denied Goodman's request to move the trial to Miami due to the negative publicity and attention he has received in the Palm Beach area since the accident.

"March will be an exhausting and understandably difficult time for Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, but they are prepared to move forward in honor of their only son's memory," Smith wrote.

http://news.yahoo.com/polo-club-foun...-abc-news.html

**noa** · 02-02-2012, 09:44 AM

I thought he was dead?
Posted via Mobile Device

Imon Yourside · 02-02-2012, 09:44 AM

Shoot the bastard!

MoreLemonPledge · 02-02-2012, 09:44 AM

I thought John Goodman was dead.

Imon Yourside · 02-02-2012, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoreLemonPledge

I thought John Goodman was dead.

If true shoot him again!

Deberg_1990 · 02-02-2012, 09:48 AM

It used to be cool, but now its kinda icky shes sleeping with her Dad.

Thig Lyfe · 02-02-2012, 09:59 AM

Missed a real opportunity to use a misleading thread title here.

Frazod · 02-02-2012, 10:38 AM

Wow - what a ****ing scumbag. I'm glad this is getting lots of publicity.

vailpass · 02-02-2012, 10:39 AM

You can adopt someone with whom it is known you are having sexual relations? If so you should be arrested immediately afterward for incest and sexual abuse.
How the hell could this be allowed to happen?

**alnorth** · 02-02-2012, 10:43 AM

What a stupid move. This simply isn't going to work, a probate court is eventually going to recognize that this was a sham and he'll gain nothing. He may have even put a big chunk of his kids trust at risk.

Also, someone with his kind of assets (he's a billionaire behind the shell game he's playing trying to hide his money) ought to have a mega-huge umbrella policy. He didn't have something like a 50 or 100 or 250 million umbrella? (apparently not if he's playing these crazy games with his money)

**alnorth** · 02-02-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

You can adopt someone with whom it is known you are having sexual relations? If so you should be arrested immediately afterward for incest and sexual abuse.

That requires a biological relation. Mere words on a piece of paper does not create incest. Also, consenting adults can't be abused (unless she's mentally "special") even if she was a biological daughter.

L.A. Chieffan · 02-02-2012, 10:44 AM

I don't think its incest if they're not biological.

Nickel D · 02-02-2012, 11:11 AM

The movie rights to this story have been purchased by director Woody Allen.

Frazod · 02-02-2012, 11:12 AM

Probably good for her, though. If she's 42, her time as this pig's primo squeeze is running out quickly.

**bevischief** · 02-02-2012, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoreLemonPledge

I thought John Goodman was dead.

He is a zombie...

02-02-2012, 09:42 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $114454	Man (48) Adopts Girlfriend (42) before Civil Suit Over DUI Death A wealthy Florida polo club founder has adopted his longtime adult girlfriend in what attorneys believe may be a legal maneuver to protect his financial assets as he faces a trial for a drunk driving incident that killed a 23-year-old. John Goodman, 48, formally adopted Heather Laruso Hutchins, 42, in October 2011. The couple started dating in 2009. Goodman is the founder of the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Fla. West Palm Beach Judge Glenn Kelley wrote in a court order that the twists in the case "border on the surreal and take the Court into a legal twilight zone." "The Defendant has effectively diverted a significant portion of the assets of the children's trust to a person with whom he is intimately involved at a time when his personal assets are largely at risk in this case," the judge wrote. Goodman is being sued by Lili and William Wilson for the wrongful death of their son Scott Patrick Wilson, who come home from college for his sister's birthday, and died in a car crash on Feb. 12, 2010. According to police, Goodman, who was driving a Bentley, ran a stop sign and slammed into Wilson's car. Goodman did not call police or an ambulance, and left the crash scene on foot, police said. It was determined that Goodman's blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. Man Adopts Girlfriend, 42, Before Civil Suit Over DUI Death Goodman's civil trial is set for March 27 and his criminal trial for charges of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash is on March 6. He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted. None of Goodman's biological children have reached the age of 35, the pre-determined age at which they can control their trust funds. Since Hutchins is over the age of 35, her adoption entitles her immediately to a one-third beneficiary interest in the trust. The court had previously ruled that the assets owned by Goodman's children could not be considered part of his net worth in the calculations for assessing punitive damages for the Wilson family, but the family thinks the adoption should change the ruling. "Plaintiffs view the adoption of Ms. Hutchins as a 'game-changer' and as grounds to now include the assets of the children's trust, at least in some fashion, in the punitive damages calculation," Kelley wrote. Attorneys representing the Wilsons believe that the move is Goodman's way of maintaining control of his money. "By way of this adoption John Goodman effectively owns or has direct control of one-third of the trust assets," Wilson family attorney Scott Smith told ABCNews.com in an email. "It cannot go unrecognized that he has adopted his 42-year-old adult girlfriend as opposed to a child in need." Goodman's attorney Dan Bachi did not respond to requests for comment, but Kelley wrote in his motion that Goodman claims the adoption is unrelated and that he does not benefit from it. "Mr. Goodman asserts that the adoption makes Ms. Hutchings a beneficiary and, until a probate court holds otherwise, this Court will assume this is true," Kelley wrote. The judge wrote that a probate court with jurisdiction over the trust will determine whether the adoption is a "sham," as it relates to the children's trust. On Jan. 25, a Palm Beach County judge denied Goodman's request to move the trial to Miami due to the negative publicity and attention he has received in the Palm Beach area since the accident. "March will be an exhausting and understandably difficult time for Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, but they are prepared to move forward in honor of their only son's memory," Smith wrote. http://news.yahoo.com/polo-club-foun...-abc-news.html
Posts: 68,666

02-02-2012, 09:44 AM	#2
noa Band Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $-654547	I thought he was dead? Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 8,302

02-02-2012, 09:44 AM	#3
Imon Yourside WhatUneed2Hear Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: AllSoulsMatter Casino cash: $-1036819	Shoot the bastard! __________________ "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" Peter 5:8 "Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay" Isaiah 29:16 "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20
Posts: 47,578

02-02-2012, 09:44 AM	#4
MoreLemonPledge M-I-Z S-E-C Join Date: Apr 2009 Casino cash: $10004927	I thought John Goodman was dead. __________________
Posts: 6,039

02-02-2012, 09:48 AM	#6
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $114454	It used to be cool, but now its kinda icky shes sleeping with her Dad.
Posts: 68,666

02-02-2012, 09:59 AM	#7
Thig Lyfe Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Thigpen's America Casino cash: $10004900	Missed a real opportunity to use a misleading thread title here.
Posts: 25,680

02-02-2012, 10:38 AM	#8
Frazod Did you hear what I said? Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $-776615	Wow - what a ****ing scumbag. I'm glad this is getting lots of publicity.
Posts: 121,774

02-02-2012, 10:39 AM	#9
vailpass Psycho Bag Of Squanch Join Date: Sep 2001 Casino cash: $9594244	You can adopt someone with whom it is known you are having sexual relations? If so you should be arrested immediately afterward for incest and sexual abuse. How the hell could this be allowed to happen? __________________ “Education is a weapon whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.” Joseph Stalin
Posts: 69,591

02-02-2012, 10:43 AM	#10
alnorth . Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $57156239	What a stupid move. This simply isn't going to work, a probate court is eventually going to recognize that this was a sham and he'll gain nothing. He may have even put a big chunk of his kids trust at risk. Also, someone with his kind of assets (he's a billionaire behind the shell game he's playing trying to hide his money) ought to have a mega-huge umbrella policy. He didn't have something like a 50 or 100 or 250 million umbrella? (apparently not if he's playing these crazy games with his money) __________________ how many emo kids does it take to change a lightbulb? HOW MANY?! none they just sit in the dark and cry
Posts: 36,130

02-02-2012, 10:44 AM	#12
L.A. Chieffan PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: American Gardens Building Casino cash: $2688654	I don't think its incest if they're not biological.
Posts: 17,400

02-02-2012, 11:11 AM	#13
Nickel D Veteran Join Date: Mar 2011 Casino cash: $11006781	The movie rights to this story have been purchased by director Woody Allen.
Posts: 1,321

02-02-2012, 11:12 AM	#14
Frazod Did you hear what I said? Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $-776615	Probably good for her, though. If she's 42, her time as this pig's primo squeeze is running out quickly.
Posts: 121,774