Wendy Williams’ son Kevin, 21, holds power of attorney in her lawsuit as bank claims troubled host is of ‘unsound mind’
WENDY Williams’ son Kevin, 21, holds power of attorney in her lawsuit against Wells Fargo bank, The Sun can report.
An attorney for Wendy exclusively confirmed to The Sun that the host's son Kevin Hunter Jr., 21, holds power of attorney as his troubled mother's legal team fights to regain access to her frozen accounts.
According to Wendy’s attorney, Wells Fargo requested that Wendy obtain a power of attorney because the bank would not speak with Kevin Jr about her bank accounts without one.
A power of attorney gives a designated individual the right to make decisions about another person's property, finances, or medical care when the person is unable to do so.
“Wendy wanted online access to her accounts,” her lawyer explained, adding that the host wanted her son Kevin Jr to help her.
“Wendy wanted Little Kevin to begin to take on responsibilities.”
The attorney claimed there were no improper transactions made on the account.
The legal update comes as:
- Ailing host gives fans rare health update on her health in video
- Wendy hires ex-husband's legal team to represent her in suit
- The bank called Wendy an ‘incapacitated person’
- Claims by Wendy of suffering ‘irreparable financial harm’
“The only transaction that anyone tried to make is Wendy attempting to place a power of attorney in the files so that if there were any inquiries, she could have her son make them.”
The host’s lawyer claimed Wendy’s financial advisor became upset that Kevin Jr became involved in her financial affairs.
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The attorney said Wendy’s accounts were frozen by Wells Fargo after Kevin Jr’s power of attorney paperwork was submitted.
“No one attempted to purchase a car or buy property or anything like that. She just wanted online access to her account.”
“We had submitted the power of attorney paperwork to Wells Fargo and they refused to honor it.
Meanwhile, a source close to the case has suggested that the power of attorney paperwork is one of the central issues that caused Wells Fargo to freeze the accounts, and triggered the bank’s request to the judge for a guardianship hearing for the host.
As first reported, the case was sealed earlier this week.
Any potential guardianship hearings and judgements will not be accessible to the public.
Wendy's ex's role in case
The Sun exclusively revealed earlier this week that the law firm handling Wendy’s case against Wells Fargo is the same firm that represents Kevin’s businesses, including Hunter Publishing and his entertainment group, Head Hunter Productions.
LaShawn Thomas of Miami Entertainment Law Group is working with Wendy in her lawsuit against her bank to regain access to the alleged millions of dollars in her accounts.
Wendy’s legal team has claimed that her accounts were frozen following the bank’s concerns that the TV host was the victim of “exploitation, dementia or undue influence.”
Thomas confirmed to The Sun she is currently the general counsel for Kevin's businesses but insisted the matters she's handling for the exes are completely separate and unrelated.
“I'm not representing Wendy and Kevin in an adversarial proceeding,” LaShawn told The Sun, before adding “and Kevin is not that kind of guy.”
“Whatever is going on with Wendy, I don't disclose to him. I believe in protecting the attorney-client privilege."
Iced out
The contentious battle over access to Wendy’s Wells Fargo accounts started earlier this month when the Miami Entertainment Law Group filed an emergency injunction for Wendy to regain access to her accounts.
The attorney for Wendy argued that the ailing host was missing payments to creditors.
The bank has asked to have a guardianship hearing and has since filed that they are willing to allow payments to go out if Wendy’s representatives give them the go-ahead.
In an exclusive statement given to The Sun, Wells Fargo said its “priority is the financial well-being of Ms. Williams and the preservation of her privacy.
"As we have expressed to the court, Wells Fargo is open to working with Ms. Williams’ counsel to release funds directly to her creditors for bills historically and regularly paid from her accounts.”
Bank battle
In the initial filing on behalf of Wendy in trying to re-open the frozen accounts, Miami Entertainment Law Group said that the host's financial advisor had allegedly alerted the bank that Wendy appeared to be “of unsound mind,” and the bank further believed she was the victim of “exploitation, dementia or undue influence.”
Wells Fargo responded to Wendy’s team, and told the court that they have filed a petition for a guardianship hearing, “concerning the client’s capacity."
The bank’s attorney further alleged, “Wells Fargo has strong reason to believe that the petitioner is the victim of undue influence and financial exploitation.”
The bank's response also claimed that Wendy has been a client of the financial advisor for the past 15 years and that her financial advisor has an “unblemished record in 23 years in the industry."
In their determination to freeze Wendy’s accounts, Wells Fargo claimed they relied on reports of the financial advisor, “who has recently witnessed tell-tale signs of exploitation, including the petitioner’s own expressed apprehension."
Suffering 'financial harm'
As The Sun previously exclusively reported, Wendy said she has been frozen out of her accounts containing millions of dollars for several weeks.
The host of The Wendy Williams Show - who has not appeared on the daytime series in several months as she suffers from multiple health problems- said in the lawsuit's latest filings that her frozen accounts have caused her “irreparable financial harm."
The legal battle with Wells Fargo has emerged as the ailing talk show host’s show has found a “permanent guest host” with fan-favorite Sherri Shepherd, 54.
After a rotating roster of guest hosts, first reported that Sherri will be a permanent replacement barring a recovery and potential return from Wendy.
Is Wendy okay?
As The Sun previously reported, the daytime presenter has been battling a health crisis for some time.
Sources said the once witty, sharp host of The Wendy Williams Show isn't the same as she used to be as she battles multiple medical problems.
A source close to the show told The Sun: “The spark is gone. That Wendy, who for ten years had that spark in her eyes, that cheeky grin and that little wink is not the same now.”
The insider added some days are better than others for the once feisty daytime diva.
“She’s not always functioning like she used to be. She has days where she needs help eating, getting out of bed and getting dressed."
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Even more heartbreaking, the source added, she doesn’t always recognize people whom she’s known for years.
“There are people who Wendy knows, who have worked closely with her, and there are days that she has no idea who they are.”
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