Bahamas Journal Reports OUR Horizons Scoop: Ben Thompson Could Face Jail for Contempt
By Art Harris, (c), www.artharris.com, all rights reserved
The Bahamas Journal Tuesday confirmed our exclusive report that Howard K. Stern can move forward to ask the Bahamas Supreme Court to throw South Carolina developer G. Ben Thompson in jail for contempt of court if it’s proved he violated a court injunction.
As we reported in a worldwide web exclusive here and on ETonline last week, a court order we posted first says Thompson and his lawyer, Godrey Pro Pinder can be sued –and possibly fined, even jailed if convicted — for allegedly violating two court injunctions barring them from entering Horizons to attempt to evict Anna Nicole and her lawyer-turned estate executor and long-time companion.
Pinder has said he was merely acting on behalf of a client, and had obtained permission from a lower court to serve notice.
After Anna Nicole Smith had a brief fling with Thompson, he provided her with a $950,000 mansion. Whether payback was agreed on, the late reality star considered it a gift; GBT said she promised to pay when she could. Check out the Bahamas Journal:
July 17
Stern Gets Leave To Seek To Have Thompson, Pinder Jailed For Contempt
By Quincy Parker
The Supreme Court has granted Anna Nicole Smith’s ex-lover and lawyer Howard K. Stern leave to seek to have South Carolina developer G. Ben Thompson and his Bahamian lawyer, Godfrey ‘Pro’ Pinder, thrown in jail for contempt of court.
This is the latest move in the ongoing wrangling over the ownership of the million-dollar Horizons residence, which was shared.
The late American celebrity was a permanent resident in The Bahamas.
Mr. Stern, the executor of Ms. Smith’s will, is now free to apply to have Messrs. Thompson and Pinder jailed for contempt of court.
Mr. Thompson, who was at one time reportedly Ms. Smith’s lover, claims to have bought the house for Ms. Smith with the “condition precedent” that she take out a mortgage to pay him back. Ms. Smith denied any such condition existed, and thus began the legal beef between the two sides.
The basic premise of the new order is that Mr. Thompson and Mr. Pinder violated two previous court orders, one issued on November 20, 2006, and the other issued February 9, 2007 – the day after Ms. Smith died suddenly in Florida.
Stern’s lawyer, Kahlil Parker, applied on Mr. Stern’s behalf for leave to have Messrs. Thompson and Pinder committed (jailed) for contempt based on the alleged breaches of the two previous Supreme Court orders.
On June 19, Supreme Court Justice Cheryl Albury granted Mr. Stern leave to apply to have the two men committed.
On November 20, Supreme Court Justice Anita Allen barred Mr. Thompson or his agents from “entering, crossing or disconnecting or causing to be disconnected the supply of electricity or water or in any way interfering with possession or enjoyment of (Horizons, the mansion shared by Ms. Smith, her daughter Dannielynn and Mr. Stern before Ms. Smith’s death).”
The February 9 order also barred Mr. Thompson, “by himself, his servants or agents,” from entering the Horizons property.
Mr. Thompson’s son-in-law, Ford Shelley Jr., who claims to have actually been the source of the money for Ms. Smith to buy the house, admitted that he had entered the house and removed a number of items, including the pictures that eventually surfaced in the media and created problems for then-Immigration Minister Shane Gibson.
The Journal understands that as far as can be ascertained, there is no title dispute between Mr. Thompson and Ms. Smith as to the ownership of the material in question. If there is no dispute about Ms. Smith owning the material Mr. Shelley removed, questions of theft may arise, according to sources close to the case.
The Supreme Court also ordered on June 19 that “the applicant be and is hereby at liberty to effect service of the Notice of Motion consequent hereon upon G. Ben Thompson outside of the jurisdiction of this court.”
Mr. Pinder is liable for contempt, according to the court documents, because he filed a writ in the Magistrate’s Court on Mr. Thompson’s behalf against Mr. Stern, seeking that he be declared a trespasser and evicted. This allegedly breached the Supreme Court Order that no action is taken with regard to the Horizons residence.
The Journal understands that the Magistrate’s Court has no jurisdiction on a matter before the Supreme Court.
Mr. Stern has not yet applied to have the two jailed for contempt. “Committal proceedings,” as they are known, are a matter of the liberty of the subject, and as such, while they are civil matters, the burden of proof is raised to the criminal standard – “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
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Note: The Journal is considered the third newspaper on the island, behind the independent Nassau Guardian, which has been publishing continually since 1844 as the leading daily with an estimated circulation of 15,000 and an online presence.
Close behind with an approximate circulation of 13,000 is The Tribune, which publishes every day but Sunday. The Bahama Journal, also published from Nassau, is a weekly newspaper that reaches 4,000 to 6,000 readers and is also available online.
July 17th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
I love it, I love it, I LOVE IT!
July 17th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
G. B. Thompson may be behind this matter, but since it was Ford Shelley who reared his head and started the hell that broke loose, why isn’t he being pursued?
July 17th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
EXCELLENT NEWS……Howard is the smartest one here and a darn good lawyer. He stayed quit as everyone else in this story shot their mouths off in this case. Tangling their very own web. Going on national T.V. and telling their lies to put the spotlight on Howard. Trying to take the heat off of their backs. While all along, Howard knew the facts, of the court orders and court dates and what EXACTLY was going on. Everyone else, including the media, so called friends, and family, speculated and allowed the destruction of Anna and Howard to continue. When the lies were no longer in their favor, well, they change their stories to suit their needs.
EXCELLENT HOWARD……Please continue as I am enjoying the facts that you are bringing forth for all to see. Bring all of them down with the truth and let’s watch them squirm, as they had no problem trying to destroy you.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
I think the fact that Mr. Stern is dealing with this matter properly through the Courts, is telling not only Mr, Pinder and Mr. Thompson but anyone else that wants to intimidate him, that he will not stand for it. No matter what some people say about Mr.Stern he has proven many times that he is a man of good character,and will deal with Anna Nicole’s will in a no nonsense way. He will see that Anna Nicole’s daughter Danielyan is dealt with fairly,and as much as possible the memory of her mother will not cause her embarrassment.
July 17th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
A poster on Art’s left a link several days ago to a web seminar regarding the Marshall v Marshall discussion. I finally found it online at
http://iiscast.wlf.org/vod_internet.html
Go to the ON DEMAND section and choose your connection speed.
July 17th, 2007 at 11:35 pm
EJ #1
I’m with you and nothing else needs to be said other than I love It…..
Well I need to say one thing…Whoooo Hoooooooooo
Thanks again Art….
July 18th, 2007 at 12:28 am
butterfly,
Thanks for providing the link to the web seminar on Marshall v Marshall. Michel Bryant was on The Best Defense today and stated that settlement discussions were going forward.
July 18th, 2007 at 8:47 am
Where is “Pro” Pinder now? Maybe he needs to get Greta to help him out. I hope and believe that Howard will get justice for Anna and her bundle of joy, Dannielynn.
People can be so mean and cruel, but I seriously think they barked up the wrong tree this time, messing with Howard. Now they’re finding out that that old dog won’t hunt. LOL
July 18th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Would someone please let Greta (crooked mouth) Van Sustern and Kimberley Guifoyle know this. They were ruthless and laughing at Howard. They even called him a squatter about to be evicted.
July 18th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
It’s about damn time something starts going in Howard’s favor. He truly loved Anna and whether she loved him the same way or just as a best friend shouldn’t matter. Whatever their true relationship was it was long term and based on total trust and love.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Butterfly–Very interesting discussion re: Marshall v Marshall–thanks for the link!
July 18th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Butterfly, thanks for posting that connection. I guess I didn’t correctly post it the first time. Anyway, here’s an another article I found discussing the impending lawsuit in the Ninth Circuit. It’s an editorial in the Honolulu newspaper. Hopefully the link works this time.
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070717/OPINION03/707170302/1110/OPINION03
July 19th, 2007 at 3:43 am
Anna last 6 months on earth must have been he*ll
July 19th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Yes..where is “Pro” Pinder? He certainly has been silent
lately..He was all over the media trashing Howard K. and
Anna..Justice will be served along with FS, GS, and GBT.!!
Thanks Art For the up-dates!!!
July 19th, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Yesssss,Ron Rale was correct when he said You will see Howard.
I can understand how Anna was feeling whith all this pressure!
These guys are criminal.Where is PRO?
July 20th, 2007 at 7:15 am
Pro pinDUH is probably busy at his new job of stuffing chinese food menu’s through peoples gates…! he is so good at it too..lmaooo
July 20th, 2007 at 10:54 am
Will we see Pro Pinder wearing his wig on CTV again? That was one of the comic relief in this tragic mess. He has picked a loser for a client. Run ‘ Pro Windbag’ run while u can. Maybe ‘Windbag’ will want to go back to representing those 2 thieving, illegal, unethical nannies from Haiti.
July 28th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
THE HOUSE IN THE BAHAMAS WOULD BELONG TO BABY DANNILYN IF THE COURTS HAND IT OVER TO ANNA STATING YES IT WAS TRULY A GIFT. IT WOULD NOT BELONG TO HOWARD. AS WOULD THE YACHT BELONG TO BABY DANNILYN NOT HOWARD. SINCE IT WAS ANNA’S MONEY THAT BOUGHT IT BEFORE SHE DIED.
REMEMBER, UNDER OATH HOWARD STATED ANNA PAID FOR EVERYTHING. WHEN I WAS GROWING UP WE CALLED SOMEONE THAT WANTED TO HANG AROUND SOME ONE AND SPONGE OFF OF THEM A GIGOLO.HE STATED HE HAD NO MONEY.
HOWARD HAD BIG IDEAS USING ANNA’S MONEY AS HE ISOLATED HER IN ANOTHER COUNTRY. I DON’T CARE HOW GOOD A WOMAN IS IN BED. THIS AFFAIR WAS LESS THAN A MONTH. I REALLY DON’T THINK, A MAN IS GOING TO GIVE A WOMEN A MILLION HOUSE. SURLY, THERE IS NOT A MAN ALIVE THAT WOULD DO THAT, YOU KNOW THE BEST MONEY MAKING WHORE AND HER PIMP IN THE WORLD CAN’T PULL A DEAL OFF LIKE ANNA AND HOWARD K. STERN CLAIM THAT THE HOUSE WAS A GIFT. HOWEVER, THERE ARE MEN STUPID ENOUGH TO LET A WOMAN LAY WITH ANYTHING AND ANYBODY FOR MONEY. IT’S CALLED HAVING NO MORAL’S OR PRIDE. BEING MONEY HUNGRY.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Howard I have been holding up for from the begetting,You are a very smart man and any one with any since can tell it.You stayed with Anna All these yrs and people should see you loved her’or you would of parted ways???I hope you the best of Luck.Every thing will turn out the best for you.I was wishing you could of got Dannieelyn,It would made your world complete,She is a very cute baby.Hope Larry lets you be in her life,That’s all for now GOOD LUCK
July 31st, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Where is Greta VS and Kimberly G now? They seem to have lost interest in this whole situation since they can not continue with their lies and suggestions about how evil Howard Stern is. Mr. Stern has again proven who is the honest one int his whole situation and it is not the Ford Shelly gang or some of the other parties that were involved like Anna’s mother and some of the so called friends of Anna’s. Interesting how Gretta, Kimberly and that type of person never comes back and corrects the record or makes any apology to those they may have harmed with their slander comments.
August 4th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
To Rose #18. Yes Howard has admitted that he has no money. Yet he’s also worked for Anna for 13 years and helped Anna in good personal decisions and yet sometimes she choose to go the other way. It’s already been established that G. Ben gave her the house. Where have you been? Just another Howard basher because the truth is coming out about Howard being a real good man and he only wanted the best for Anna. She was a grown woman and he didn’t make her do anything she didn’t want. She was the one that wanted to move to the Bahamas to get away from that loser Larry. He is the user of Anna not Howard. Make sure you have all of your facts straight before you point a finger to Howard. He is still protecting her in her death. Where is G. Ben Thompson? He and his sick son-in-law came into Anna’s home and stole her blind. Wow what a friend. Then they release footage of her in compromising situations and they call themselves friends of Anna’s. Howard has yet to do a photo shoot for the benefit of money. Howard hasn’t granted interviews about Anna unless it was to answer questions regarding her untimely death. He did one interview and put the money aside for Dannielynn. Larry has had her for 3 months and has done 4 magazine interviews and pictorials, Larry King and Greta. Now I ask you again, who was using who? The boat is in Howard and Anna’s name. Anna didn’t even finish paying for it. So no technically it doesn’t belong to Dannielynn, or should I say LARRY. That snake is after anything he can get his hands on. And by now with all of this negative attention he has been getting I would think people like you would realize who the culprit really is. So I really don’t have patience for people like you who think that Howard was using Anna. HE WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO LOVED HER AND STILL DOES AND THE ONLY ONE THAT IS TRYING TO DEFEND HER HONOR. I bet before Anna passed away, you probably never even gave two cents about her. Why now? Just so you can be seen—not heard? Art thanks again for a great website and great investigative reporting…
August 4th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
Oh Rose #18 How do you know so much about Whores and Pimps? Do you have a Pimp that belittled you and took all of your money? Anna wasn’t a whore. She was a classy woman who happened to trust some of the biggest con men ever. You sound like you have it in for Pimps. Just an observation about your previous comments regarding those types of people. What makes you think Anna had to be so good in bed to receive a home? Do you think that was all that consisted of the relationship between G. Ben and Anna? She is better than that. It seems to have struck a cord with you and the fact that she was given a home for her services. That’s a mighty big implication on your part about Anna. She was a beautiful woman and it sounds as if you were a bit jelaous of her. That she achieved things that you couldn’t.
August 5th, 2007 at 11:06 am
I’m waiting for a few more things to break Howard’s way, then I am going to Demand an aplogy from those “people”
August 6th, 2007 at 10:34 am
#23, HWMarron,
Ditto!
August 7th, 2007 at 10:10 am
I love Howard K Stren good luck with all this mess. I have Vergie she needs to go to the FAT FARM with FORD Shelley…
August 9th, 2007 at 9:54 am
HW Marron,
If by those “People” you mean the likes of Greta, Nancy, Geraldo and a host of others, I’m afraid that won’t happen.
They don’t have the decency to admit they were wrong and to apologize. They are nothing.