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Elderly Woman: Why Am I Suing Crying Judge?
Elderly plaintiff unsure of suit against teary-eyed Anna Nicole judge
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Judge Larry Seidlin gestures during hearings that will determine who will hold custody of Anna Nicole Smith's remains in a courtroom at Broward County Circuit Court February 20, 2007 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
The teary-eyed judge who presided over the battle for Anna Nicole Smith's body then found himself the target of a lawsuit accusing him of conning an old lady out of hundreds of thousands may beat the rap thanks to the 84-year-old plaintiff's bad memory.
Barbara Kasler testified under oath that she can't quite remember exactly why she's suing Broward Circuit Judge Larry Seidlin and his wife, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
The Seidlins find themselves on the wrong end of the lawsuit -- filed against them by neighbor and family friend Kasler -- which accuses them of conning the elderly woman out of cash, sticking her with credit card purchases and helping relatives buy a condo from her at a reduced price.
Only problem is that Kasler, in a Feb. 15 deposition, said she likes the 59-year-old justice and gave the gifts of her own free will.
"There's nothing alleged in this lawsuit that has not already been fully investigated," said Seidlin attorney Theo Kypreos, according to the Sun-Sentinel. "Using Barbara Kasler's own words...they were ‘like family.'"
Seidlin has twice been investigated by the state for taking advantage of Kasler, and both times was cleared of wrongdoing. He was even accused of neglecting to feed and medicate her.
The deposition will continue Friday, and though Kasler can't recall why she's suing Seidlin, that doesn't necessarily kill her case.
"You prove it other ways than her memory," her lawyer, Bill Scherer said. "We have all this overwhelming evidence of exploitation."
And, as if Cryin' Larry needed another reason to shed tears, he was reportedly blocked from giving Kasler a hug by one of her attorneys at the previous deposition.
Posted Monday, Mar 8, 2010 - 7:52 AM EST
