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ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this Oct. 3, 1995 file photo, defense attorney F. Lee Bailey, left, looks on as O.J. Simpson, center, reacts as he is found not guilty of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman, in court in Los Angeles. At right is defense attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr. Bailey has filed for bankruptcy in Maine in an effort to discharge an IRS debt of more than $5 million. The debt stems from a dispute over his reportable income from 1993 to 2001. During that time period, Bailey served as one of O.J. Simpson’s attorneys at his murder trial.
PORTLAND, Maine >> Famed defense attorney F. Lee Bailey, whose legion of high-profile cases includes the O.J. Simpson murder trial, has filed for bankruptcy in Maine in an effort to discharge an IRS debt of more than $5 million.
Debts to the IRS aren’t normally discharged in bankruptcy proceedings, but the 83-year-old Bailey said Friday that they can be if one abides by certain conditions, such as filing and paying his taxes on time since the original taxes and penalties were assessed.
The debt stems from a dispute of his reportable income from 1993 to 2001, The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/28Se2hO ) reported.
Bailey served as one of Simpson’s attorneys during the former NFL star’s 1995 trial, which ended in his acquittal in the 1994 murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.
Bailey in the 1960s secured a reversal of Dr. Sam Sheppard’s conviction in the murder of his pregnant wife, and an acquittal at his second trial. He also represented Albert DeSalvo, who claimed to be the Boston Strangler.
Bailey was disbarred in Florida in 2001 over mishandling client assets, and Massachusetts issued a reciprocal disbarment in 2003. Bailey’s bid to gain admission to the Maine bar failed in 2014, when the Maine Supreme Judicial Court reversed a judge’s ruling that would have allowed him to practice law in Maine.
Bailey told the Press Herald Bailey he wants to discharge what he owes to the IRS.
“At 83, it’s a little late to raise that kind of money overnight. It’s been a long battle,” he said.
Good.
he was always over touted
He was? How did you analyze that? I wasn’t aware that you are an attorney.
His behavior out of the courtroom was bizarre – particularly the way he handled client money – but at trial, he was amazing. You may have never been in a courtroom when he was cross-examining a witness, but it was amazing to watch. He was very successful at trial. Very.
Unfortunately, it seems that he wasn’t so good at doing his taxes. Perhaps he should have been up-and-up about declaring all his income properly and err on the side of caution? When in doubt, declare it and pay the taxes. Surely he must have earning some serious bucks. And getting disbarred for mishandling client money? I guess he couldn’t spell “misappropriation”? Didn’t he realize that only politicians can misappropriate client (taxpayer) money via legislation (writing and rewriting laws)? The rest of us working stiffs? Nah, we take it (political shenanigans) and pay our dues (taxes).
He should ask OJ for some money.
Karma.
Yes, sometimes there is cosmic justice, but not too often. Now, for the rest of the “dream team”…