A judge Tuesday rejected a bid by an ex-wife of the late Kirk Kerkorian to be named a court-appointed advocate for her 17-year-old daughter while the late casino tycoon’s estate is probated.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Maria Stratton told Adam Streisand — attorney for 49-year-old Lisa Bonder Kerkorian — that she will consider other nominees he submits on behalf of the petitioner’s daughter, Kira Rose Kerkorian. But the judge said she did not believe Bonder Kerkorian was the correct person to serve as a court-appointed advocate for the teen.
“I don’t have a lot of faith in her credibility given everything that’s gone on before,” Stratton said.
Stratton cited the 2006 findings of Judge Marjorie Steinberg, who presided over Bonder Kerkorian’s effort to obtain increased child support for Kira. Steinberg said Bonder Kerkorian was untruthful when she said the reason she did not take her daughter with her on a vacation — on which she spent $200,000 — was because Kerkorian asked for visitation at the last minute. In fact, Kira’s visits to the billionaire were arranged at Bonder Kerkorian’s request, Steinberg found.
Steinberg also found that Bonder Kerkorian showed a “lack of candor and truthfulness” when she said she used all her liquid assets to meet Kira’s needs. The evidence showed she took additional expensive trips in 2004-05 and spent “six figures in 2005 for her equestrian activities.”
Streisand, with Kira Kerkorian standing beside him in court, said she plans to contest the billionaire’s will. He said she only needs a guardian ad litem — or court-appointed advocate — for eight months because she turns 18 years old next March 9.
Streisand told Stratton that many of the findings made by Steinberg and other judges were based on illegal wiretaps conducted by lawyer Terry Christensen and disgraced private eye Anthony Pellicano. Both men were found guilty of conspiring to wiretap Bonder Kerkorian.
Streisand told Stratton that Bonder Kerkorian would serve as her daughter’s legal guardian at no charge to the estate.
Stratton admitted the Kerkorian will to probate today and court papers contesting it must be filed within four months. The document leaves Kira Kerkorian only a $7 million gift held in a trust created during Kerkorian’s marriage settlement agreement with Bonder Kerkorian. Streisand said Kerkorian’s estate is worth about $4 billion.
Kirk Kerkorian denied during his lifetime that he was Kira’s father, but grew fond of the girl and decided to provide for her anyway. He was married to Bonder Kerkorian, a retired professional tennis player, for less than a month in 1999. Kira was born in 1998.
Streisand told Stratton he may nominate attorney Andrew Wallet to serve as Kira’s guardian.
Streisand said outside the courtroom that he knew before today’s hearing that convincing a judge to grant Bonder Kerkorian’s petition would not be easy, but he added that her daughter supported the guardian ad litem appointment. He also said Kira believes Kirk Kerkorian was her father.
Streisand said he will contact Wallet to see if he is interested in serving as Kira’s advocate. Wallet is a co-conservator of singer Britney Spears.
In a related action, Stratton named Anthony Mandekic, secretary and treasurer of Kerkorian’s Tracinda Corp., as executor of his former boss’ estate.
Mandekic previously said Kerkorian’s June 15 death at age 98 was due to age-related causes. He opposed the appointment of Bonder Kerkorian as her daughter’s guardian ad litem.
One of Mandekic’s attorneys, Miriam Golbert, declined to comment after the hearing.
Kerkorian was the son of poor Armenian immigrants. He developed key properties on the Las Vegas Strip, including the MGM and MGM Grand. He also invested in and operated business in a number of industries, including airlines, automakers, Chrysler Corp., General Motors and film studios. He purchased MGM Studios three times, bought United Artists and tried to acquire Columbia Pictures.
—City News Service