Former M*A*S*H star WAYNE ROGERS sued by ex-girlfriend who played The Fonz’s girlfriend on “Happy Days” over reputed love child in LA Superior Court.
According to the bombshell charges filed by Melinda Naud, she alleged that former thesp Rogers and Fox News commentator “shirked his financial obligations to his ex-partner and his ailing love child”.
.Naud, an actress who appeared in "Happy Days" as The Fonz's girlfriends claims she was Rogers' girlfriend from 1978 to 1985.
In the legal filing, Naud charges Rogers refused to have anything more to do with their son, Luigi Calabrese, after the boy underwent surgeries for a serious heart condition. Courthouse News reported.
"Defendant Wayne Rogers is an American film and television star, best known for playing the role of 'Trapper John' on the highly successful CBS television series, 'M*A*S*H,'" the complaint states.
"Rogers is also a highly successful business man, financial advisor, and commentator of Fox. Rogers is currently a regular panel member on the Fox News investment television program 'Cashin'' and has owned and managed a business management company, Wayne Rogers & Company, in Los Angeles, California for over 40 years. Mr. Rogers has been labeled a financial genius and 'guru’ to the rich and famous.'
In the final year of their relationship, Naud states, Naud claims she gave birth to Luigi.
After the couple split, Rogers married his current wife Amy Hirsh, according to the complaint.
"Rogers hid his relationship with Naud and his son's existence from his wife Hirsh, and everyone else for that matter, and pretended as if his son did not exist," the 16-page elaborates.
The lawsuit also says that in order to hide his son's existence, Rogers went so far as to demand that Naud only contact him at his office under the pseudonym 'Mrs. St. Claire.'
After the death of her husband in 1997, Naud claims she asked Rogers to increase her child support payments. He reputedly offered to set up a $1 million trust for Luigi, provide the boy with a home in the event of Rogers' death, and make up the eight years of unpaid child support, "minus the 75 thousand dollars Rogers finally paid Naud in 1993."
But Rogers abandoned their love child Luigi after he was diagnosed with endocarditis, Naud claims in the filing.
Naud says Rogers helped pay the bills for an initial life-saving surgery but "abruptly cut off all communication" when he found out Luigi needed a second surgery and lifetime care.
"Rogers viewed his son as damaged goods, and a financial liability, not only personally but professionally, due to his medical condition," the lawsuit states.
Naud is asking for “compensatory, consequential and punitive damages “, according to the docs.
Rogers’ legal team has not responded to the charges – YET.
DEVELOPING.
