RIALTO CHATTER: Tony Winner Vereen Hit With 10 Million Dollar Lawsuit

By: Jan. 19, 2009
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WENN News Services is reporting that Tony winning actor Ben Vereen has been hit with a $10 million lawsuit by his daughter's ex-fiance over a house the former couple once shared together.

William McGlynn, 39, in the lawsuit filed last week, claims he proposed to Malaika Vereen with a $30,500 engagement ring in 2004 and spent over $250,500 on the entertainer's daughter and grandson during their two-year courtship. McGlynn alleges he made a $123,000down payment on the $600,000 New Jersey home the couple shared, which was co-signed by Ben Vereen reports WENN.

McGlynn allegedly called off the wedding in 2005 and demanded to sell the home and be reimbursed for his down payment, when he learned his future father-in-law was the only name on the deed.

McGlynn says, "Ben Vereen said my word is my word, we don't have to sign anything. He told me that everything would be okay... I tried reaching out to him... he said it's out of his hands. Even if I don't get the money back, I can let people know who these people are - to beware. Love is blind, I guess."

A spokesperson for Vereen tells the newspaper his client was shocked to learn of the suit. Vereen's daughter could not be reached as WENN went to press.

For more information visit www.wenn.com.

From his Tony Award-winning performance in "Pippin" to "I'm Not Rappaport," "Fosse "and "Wicked," Ben Vereen's Broadway performances are renowned. His versatility extends to television, with his Emmy Award-winning network specials and many guest appearances, and to film where his performances range from "All That Jazz" to "Funny Lady" to "Idlewild" (with Outkast) and the classic "Mama, I Want To Sing." His concerts and lectures have taken him all over the world as well as his boundless humanitarian efforts.


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