BIG TAX BILL PROMPTS SUIT FROM THE MATERIAL GIRL
The Material Girl is suing her former financial advisers after state taxes took a bite out of her assets.In a $2.5 million lawsuit filed in New York state court on Tuesday, Madonna accused Padell, Nadell, Fine, Weinberger & Co. of malpractice and breach of contract.
Bert Padell, the firm's senior partner, said the $2.5 million lawsuit stems from Madonna's having to pay $2 million in New York state income taxes after he prepared a 1992 tax filing saying she was a California resident.
"The state came in and said she was a New York resident because she lived here more than 183 days." Madonna paid the taxes.
Madonna fired him in 1996, but Padell said he still thinks she is "a good person. I have no malice toward her."
LINDBERGH GRANDSON JOINS SPACE-TRAVEL PROMOTION
Like his famous grandfather, Erik Lindbergh's thoughts turn toward the heavens.
Lindbergh, a 34-year-old wood sculptor and grandson of aviator Charles Lindbergh, is lending the family name to the cause of space travel.
He is a member of the X Prize Foundation of St. Louis, an organization designed to encourage private construction of space vehicles.
The $10 million X Prize -- half of which has been raised -- will go to the builder of a craft able to carry at least three people to an altitude of 62 miles and return to fly again within two weeks.
NEW COIN HONORING DIANA GOES ON SALE IN BRITAIN
A special 5-pound coin honoring Princess Diana went on sale July 1, her birthday. The coin, worth about $8, features a portrait of her in profile. A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is on the reverse side. Limited editions in gold and silver were sold earlier this year. All proceeds go to charities recommended by the fund set up after Diana's death in a Paris car crash in 1997.
JUDI DENCH TO COME BACK INTO VIEW IN BROADWAY HIT
Judi Dench will return to the Broadway hit "Amy's View" on July 6 to complete the final two weeks of the play's run.
Dench left the David Hare drama after the June 22 performance to be with her husband, actor Michael Williams, who is seriously ill with a lung infection.
"Amy's View" is a hot ticket, but with Dench absent, many patrons were opting for refunds or exchanging tickets. Only about a quarter of the 1,096-seat Ethel Barrymore Theater was filled over the weekend.