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| Copperfield Loses Suit For Stolen Props |
The federal civil court jury of five women and three men ruled in favor of Copperfield’s insurer and awarded the Master Magician nothing. The insurer argued on Monday that “this was a business dispute that the Copperfield organization attempted to portray in exaggerated and overly dramatic terms.” Copperfield’s attorneys countered that the magician was forced to pay what amounted to extortion to recover approximately $4,000,000.00 worth of props and effects. The Russian company, Ris LisS was allegedly working on Copperfield’s behalf to help set up show dates in Russia. Following the final show in Moscow, Copperfield alleged the company seized the papers he needed to get the effects and props out of Russia and to continue his international tour. Both sides agreed that the company, Ris LisS had ties to the Russian Mafia. Copperfield’s lawyer informed the presiding U.S. District Judge, Howard McKibben, that the magician would likely appeal the verdict.In closing arguments, Copperfield’s lawyer described a tense month after Copperfield’s final Russian show in Moscow in December 1999. Ris LisS seized essential shipping documents and threatened to destroy $4 million worth Copperfield’s show equipment unless Copperfield paid $250,000. Copperfield spent $256,343 on individuals with knowledge of the inner-workings of the Russian underworld to free the props including a former CIA operative and an ex-general in the KGB Soviet secret service. The jury spent six hours in deliberations on Tuesday.According to the jury foreperson, Geri Luna, the jury was most concerned with the documents in the case including letters, contracts and other materials. Firemen’s Fund alleged these documents demonstrated Copperfield was actually a business partner with Ris LisS. The insurer claimed the relationship between Copperfield and the shadowy Ris LisS went sour; resulting in the seizure of the documents.Copperfield was in not present for the verdict. He testified last week but is currently performing in Dayton, Ohio.
|
| Copperfield Loses Suit For Stolen Props |
The federal civil court jury of five women and three men ruled in favor of Copperfield’s insurer and awarded the Master Magician nothing. The insurer argued on Monday that “this was a business dispute that the Copperfield organization attempted to portray in exaggerated and overly dramatic terms.” Copperfield’s attorneys countered that the magician was forced to pay what amounted to extortion to recover approximately $4,000,000.00 worth of props and effects. The Russian company, Ris LisS was allegedly working on Copperfield’s behalf to help set up show dates in Russia. Following the final show in Moscow, Copperfield alleged the company seized the papers he needed to get the effects and props out of Russia and to continue his international tour. Both sides agreed that the company, Ris LisS had ties to the Russian Mafia. Copperfield’s lawyer informed the presiding U.S. District Judge, Howard McKibben, that the magician would likely appeal the verdict.In closing arguments, Copperfield’s lawyer described a tense month after Copperfield’s final Russian show in Moscow in December 1999. Ris LisS seized essential shipping documents and threatened to destroy $4 million worth Copperfield’s show equipment unless Copperfield paid $250,000. Copperfield spent $256,343 on individuals with knowledge of the inner-workings of the Russian underworld to free the props including a former CIA operative and an ex-general in the KGB Soviet secret service. The jury spent six hours in deliberations on Tuesday.According to the jury foreperson, Geri Luna, the jury was most concerned with the documents in the case including letters, contracts and other materials. Firemen’s Fund alleged these documents demonstrated Copperfield was actually a business partner with Ris LisS. The insurer claimed the relationship between Copperfield and the shadowy Ris LisS went sour; resulting in the seizure of the documents.Copperfield was in not present for the verdict. He testified last week but is currently performing in Dayton, Ohio.
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