The heir to a profitable family business, facing charges of DUI manslaughter, has recently made the bold move of adopting his 42-year old girlfriend in what speculators deem is an action to keep juror’s from learning his full worth in an upcoming wrongful death lawsuit, as reported by the Associated Press for several media outlets.
The action is not thought to disrupt the criminal trial of J.G., though the adoption of his girlfriend, H.C.H., has been highly criticized and reported on in the news.
One law professor, Bob Jarvis from Florida’s Nova Southeastern University, said, “It's the kind of thing that you go, ‘Whoa. What?’”
J.G. is accused of driving drunk on the morning of February 10, 2010, after spending a night out drinking at two Wellington bars.
J.G., 48, was allegedly driving his black Bentley convertible toward his home when he drove at a high rate of speed through a stop sign at Lake Worth Road and 120th Avenue in Wellington. He then collided with a Hyundai Sonata driven by S.W., 23. Due to the impact, S.W.’s vehicle flipped upside down and slid into a canal where he drowned.
Police stated that had J.G. not fled the scene, S.W., a young college graduate, may not have died.
Approximately 50 minutes after the accident J.G. called 911. Authorities reported that J.G. reeked of alcohol, his eyes were watery and he slurred his speech. His blood alcohol percentage proved to be twice the legal limit – J.G.’s was 0.177 percent.
Prosecutors allege that in the time he was away from the scene he telephoned H.C.H. J.G. contends that his cellular phone had run out of charge so he was forced to go by foot to get to the closest home for help.
The intersection where the accident occurred is now adorned with flowers as a makeshift memorial for S.W.
J.G. is due in court for his criminal trial on March the 6. He faces a potential of 30 years behind bars if found guilty of DUI manslaughter and vehicular manslaughter.
J.G. and H.C.H. refused to comment to reporters.
The idea of adult adoption, though rare, is not a new one. Gay couples have done it to provide for their partners in the case of death, elderly people have done it for a beloved caregiver and wealthy defendants do it to protect their assets. The same thing is routinely accomplished by moving money into offshore accounts or using a spouse’s name in a property title.
J.G.’s fortune comes from the sale of his family’s Houston-based heating and air conditioning company.
The adoption is not expected to stand. An attorney, acting in the interests of J.G.’s two natural minor children, has asked a court to undo the adoption claiming that it is “ based on fraud upon the court.”
If your charge of DUI, DWI, OUI or OWI is further complicated by other circumstances, or charges, contact a DUI attorney today for help.