Fla. mogul, facing trial, adopts his girlfriend

By Matt Sedensky

Associated Press

Published: Thursday, Feb. 9 2012 1:35 p.m. MST

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FILE - In a May 19, 2010 file photo, John Goodman, center, shown with attorneys Mark Shapiro, left, and Guy Fronstin, is released from the Palm Beach County Jail in West Palm Beach, Fla. after posting bail on charges of vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter. Goodman, 48, recently adopted his 42-year-old girlfriend. Critics say he is trying to maintain some indirect control over money he fears could be awarded to the family of Wilson who died in a car crash with the polo mogul two years ago. Goodman goes on trial next month in that death, accused of drunken driving manslaughter. The victim’s family has also sued Goodman in a civil case.

The Palm Beach Post, Gary Coronado, File) MAGS OUT, TV OUT, NO SALES, Associated Press

Summary

A millionaire polo mogul in Florida is raising eyebrows with his decision to adopt his 42-year-old girlfriend.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A millionaire polo mogul in Florida is raising eyebrows with his decision to adopt his 42-year-old girlfriend.

Critics of 48-year-old John Goodman says the move is simply an attempt to protect some of his fortune when a lawsuit against him goes to trial later this year.

Goodman is accused of drunken driving manslaughter in the death of a fellow motorist. He faces both a criminal trial that could send him to prison and a civil case brought against him by the victim's family.

He has a trust fund for his two underage children that would be shielded if the verdict in the lawsuit goes against him. After he adopted his girlfriend, he named her a beneficiary of the trust fund, too.

Goodman's attorney insists there's nothing illegal about the move.

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