Maxwell herpes trial halted by bankruptcy
Posted: Saturday August 29, 1998 03:31 PM
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Maxwell filed bankruptcy papers in Atlanta on Thursday, one day before the herpes trial was set to begin Mike Powell/Allsport |
HOUSTON (AP) -- The civil trial of pro basketball player Vernon
Maxwell, who a woman accuses of knowingly giving her herpes, is on hold
after the former Houston
Rockets star filed for bankruptcy.
Maxwell, 33, who most recently played for the Charlotte Hornets last
season, filed bankruptcy papers in Atlanta on Thursday, one day before the
herpes trial was set to begin here.
Under federal law, the plaintiff and all others seeking to collect
from Maxwell must wait until the Georgia bankruptcy court rules on his
case, something lawyers said could take years.
Sheila Rias, who claims Maxwell infected her during a brief
relationship three years ago, is suing the former Rocket. Her attorney,
Philip Bryant, only would say she is "disappointed his filing has prevented
a trial."
The Associated Press was unable to reach Maxwell or his former
lawyer, state Rep. Ron Wilson, D-Houston. Wilson repeatedly has failed to
answer phone messages left at his offices regarding the Maxwell case.
Earlier last week, Wilson withdrew from the Maxwell case, citing the
former millionaire's inability to pay him.
Maxwell's NBA salaries have averaged around $1 million since 1993-94.
The hot-and-cold shooting guard known as "Mad Max" for his behavior both on
and off the court made $1.54 million during the 1994-95 season.
But his bankruptcy petition indicates his affinity for fancy cars has
left him strapped. His two biggest creditors are the lenders who financed
his Ferrari and a ritzy auto leasing company in Philadelphia, where he
played in 1995-96.
Maxwell, who served a 90-day jail sentence earlier this year for a
1995 marijuana conviction, was unable to pay court fines of $762 and $750
in May because of his financial problems, Wilson told state District Judge
John Donovan. Donovan ordered Maxwell to pay Ms. Rias $592,000 in
February 1996 when Maxwell failed to respond to the suit. Maxwell received
a new trial after claiming he had been served improperly, then received a
third trial after another default judgment.
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