This July 5, 2005, file photo provided by the Smith family shows George Allen Smith IV, and his wife, Jennifer Hagel-Smith. Royal Caribbean Cruises has agreed to pay more than $1 million to Smith's estate. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Smith Family)
Posted on 01/05/2007 3:58:51 AM PST by iowamark
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Royal Caribbean Cruises has agreed to pay more than $1 million to the estate of a Connecticut man who vanished from his honeymoon cruise of the Mediterranean in 2005.
The Florida-based company will pay $950,000 to the estate of George Allen Smith IV and reimburse his widow, Jennifer Hagel Smith, for legal costs up to $110,000. Hagel Smith will start a fund in memory of her husband with an initial donation of $25,000 that the cruise line will match, according to a copy of the settlement obtained by The Associated Press.
The agreement was to be filed Thursday afternoon in Greenwich Probate Court, which must approve the deal. Royal Caribbean and Hagel Smith reached the settlement last June, but terms were not disclosed until Thursday.
Smith, 26, of Greenwich, disappeared July 5, 2005, from Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas between Greece and Turkey after an apparent late night of drinking. The FBI has been investigating, but no one has been charged and no body has been recovered.
Hagel Smith noted that the settlement also gives her access for the first time to records kept by the cruise line, including vessel logs, security reports, door activity records, photographs, witness statements and correspondence with the FBI.
"My single goal continues to be to find answers regarding how George died," Hagel Smith said in a statement. "Reaching a settlement in this case in no way shuts down the investigation. This proposed settlement provides the certainty of obtaining additional meaningful information surrounding George's death in a timely manner, which is very important to me."
Hagel Smith said $100,000 will go to her attorney for investigative costs and another $60,000 will be paid to forensic expert Dr. Henry Lee to continue his investigation.
"I hope it will be recognized that my loyalty to George and his memory can never be measured in media appearances, allegations, lawsuits, or dollars and cents," said Hagel Smith, who appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
Under state law, Hagel Smith will be entitled to the first $100,000 and 75 percent of the balance of the settlement after estate bills are paid, according to her attorney, Elizabeth Byrne. Smith's parents will be entitled to 25 percent of the balance after the initial $100,000 is paid to his widow, Byrne said.
Maritime law limits settlements to economic damages such as lost wages, rather than other damages such as pain and suffering, Byrne said.
Hagel Smith's settlement caused a rift with Smith's parents and sister, who sued Royal Caribbean, accusing the company of a cover-up that hindered the investigation. The cruise line denies any wrongdoing and does not admit to any liability for Smith's disappearance in the settlement with Hagel Smith.
The lawsuit by Smith's family was dismissed in November, but Smith attorney Brett Rivkind has filed an amended complaint.
Hagel Smith was found passed out on a floor far from the couple's cabin, the cruise line has said. She says she has no recollection of what happened and has said she passed an FBI polygraph test.
Royal Caribbean said when it reached the settlement with Hagel Smith that it wanted to "provide closure and move forward."
The case prompted congressional hearings and new legislation to tighten requirements for reporting when passengers disappear.
Royal Caribbean shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange Thursday morning at $43.60, up 12 cents. The stock has traded between $32.47 and $46.77 over the past year.
This July 5, 2005, file photo provided by the Smith family shows George Allen Smith IV, and his wife, Jennifer Hagel-Smith. Royal Caribbean Cruises has agreed to pay more than $1 million to Smith's estate. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Smith Family)
Both of them were drunk out of their minds that night. He was so drunk he couldnt stand up and fell overboard, and she passed out in a different place on the ship while he fell overboard.
It's the new Russian Roulette: "Honey, let's get really, really drunk. If we're lucky, one of us will fall overboard and drown, and the other will get a million dollars! Are you up for it?"
So what do Nancy Grace, Greta and Geraldo talk about now??? Back to Aruba?
OMG....that's horrible.
FWIW, I seem to recall a thread a few months ago about people disappearing on cruises with their spouses.
This is really tragic - my husband and I went to Cancun for our honeymoon and got a bit drunk a couple of times, and I can't imagine losing him there. Our life together had just started! It's sad for all involved.
I guess the things pople do on their honeymoon are much different than the things we wen for back in 1962 when i got married. I was more into getting in the room and having sex than gtting stone blind stinking drunk. Maybe its because most couples today have been having sex for years before the honeymoon and get drunk trying to forget they actually married.
No matter why they got drunk ,why is that considered the fauilt of the cruise line? Why does stupidity qualify anyone for a million dolar payout. Especially when no body is found,no proof offered,nothing but the word of the bride who may have thrown her husband overboard before getting drunk as an alibi.
Damn! She marries him, has thugs kill him & chuck him over, and scores a mil? Good work if you can get it!
"Both of them were drunk out of their minds that night. He was so drunk he couldnt stand up and fell overboard, and she passed out in a different place on the ship while he fell overboard."
How did he get over the railing if he was so drunk that he couldn't stand up.
You probably didn't go on a Mediterranean cruise for your honeymoon either, did you?
My parents went to a Quincy, Illinois hotel (LOL!) for their honeymoon, have been married 60 years now.
This is an utter disgrace! If I owned the cruise line, I'd fight this tooth and nail. Just pathetic!
What a boon. If someone's terminally ill, all they have to do is go on a cruise with their spouse, jump overboard and the spouse can rake in a million dollars.
In the report I heard, it was explained that the cruise ship was being threatened with a lawsuit claiming they had bungled the investigation in the man's disappearance. Royal Caribbean just wanted this story to go away because it was bad for business.
I went to Atlantic City for two days and then went back to work. 44 years ago Before casino's
He thought it was porcelein?
I drove directly from my wedding to the airport, and my job off-shore.
I'm still feeling boastful of my 25th a few days ago; but 44!! Well done....my compliments.
Connecticut ping!
Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.
Also, witnesses observed the couple having a loud argument in the bar prior to his disappearnce, which culminated in Mrs. Smith kneeing her husband in the groin. Further, if I recall correctly, the wife claims that after she was found by staff in the hall and helped back to her room, she awoke in her clothes from the night before and the left the room alone, without showering or changing clothes, to a his-and-her massage that she had scheduled with her husband; and that upon arriving at the massage place, she realized she was an hour early but remained there, and was found at the massage place later after a search had been initiated.
Personally, I think there is something fishy about her story (at least as it has been reported).
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