Robert Blake Files for Bankruptcy

Actor Robert Blake has filed for bankruptcy two months after a civil court jury awarded $30 million in damages to the family of his murdered ex-wife, Bonnie Lee Bakley, but lawyers for the family believe he is hiding assets.

Blake was found not guilty in criminal court in March 2005 of the murder of Bakley, but in November a jury in a civil case found that he intentionally caused his wife's death. The awarded Bakley's children $30 million in damages.

In Blake's bankruptcy filing he claimed assets of only $100,001 and $500,000 against liabilities that include the $30 million lawsuit judgment, $1,274,783 million in federal taxes and $334,337 in state taxes.

"The concept of Robert Blake doing everything he can to avoid paying was highly anticipated, and we're ready for it," said Eric Dubin, attorney for Bakley's family. Dubin believes Blake has been selling off assets and hiding the funds in various corporations.

Blake's attorney, Peter Ezzell, believes his client is broke and says he wrote off $200,000 in attorney's fees.

See Also:
Robert Blake Files for Bankruptcy

Background:
The Robert Blake Case
Profile of Robert Blake
Profile of Bonny Lee Bakley