EXCLUSIVE: Lawyer Lin Wood Signs On; New Attack Dog for Howard K. Stern….. May Sue for Libel, Slander, Defamation; Fur to Fly…Poor Sugar Pie!
It’s now official: The Bald Truth has learned exclusively that high-octane defamation lawyer Lin Wood has signed a formal agreement to represent Howard K. Stern personally and as executor of Anna Nicole Smith’s estate.
After “lengthy” meetings in the Bahamas Friday, sources who were in the room tell me Stern signed what is called a formal “engagement letter” deputizing the lightning litigator to strike back with possible lawsuits against a host of television talk show attackers still screaming Stern’s a “murderer,” responsible for the death of Anna Nicole.
Mmm. We’re guessing Ford Shelley, who made off with her computers, videotapes and paintings she did for baby Dannielynn’s nursery, is on the short list, along with Virgie Arthur’s tough-talking lawyer, John O’Quinn, who’s been disciplined for ambulance chasing before.
Wood, partner in the respected Atlanta lawfirm Powell-Goldstein, went to bat for the embattled parents of Jon Benet Ramsay and won settlements for former Olympic security guard Richard Jewel, called a suspect in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Park bombing, oops, before the real bomber, Eric Rudolph, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison years later.
Stern was cleared of any criminal wrong-doing after a lengthy Florida police investigation and autopsy by Broward Medical Examiner Dr. Joshua Perper, who also told me he doesn’t believe –and has seen no evidence so far—that the deaths of Anna Nicole and her son, Daniel, are linked. Of course, Bahamas top cops get to weigh in soon, in the upcoming coronor’s inquest, and no shortage of critics suggest otherwise. Let’s see the so called evidence; we’re also wondering whether the court will allow witness credibility to be tested.
It’s gonna be as tough as weighing the veracity of Hollywood, and reminds me of a recent book about the biz, called, “‘Hello,’” Lied The Agent.”
On the bright side for the beaten-down Stern, he’s more confident after beefing up his team with Wood. “Howard is relieved and getting ready to fight back,” a source close to him tells me. “and he knows Lin Wood is a fighter.”
We were the first to report Stern was talking to Wood; now we’re the first to tell you, it’s a done deal. Wood flew back to Atlanta late Saturday afternoon after signing what may turn out to be his most controversial client in at least a decade.
Bwahahahahaha! Good one, Our Lady! The Ramseys ran out on Leroy and left him holding for hmmm, I’ll have to look it up. In the 40s, I think, but don’t hold me to it.