Lamar Hunt Jr. Settles Assault Case
DALLAS (AP) _ Lamar Hunt Jr., son of sports magnate Lamar Hunt and a member of one of Texas’ most prominent families, reportedly settled a lawsuit in which he was accused of sexually assaulting his mentally disabled sister-in-law.
The settlement was reported today by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and The Dallas Morning News.
The Star-Telegram, citing unidentified sources, said the settlement Tuesday was for between $2 million and $5 million. The Morning News, also citing unidentified sources, said the settlement was for about $2 million.
The woman, Judy Fitzpatrick, had sought $60 million, the Star-Telegram said.
``Nobody’s ever satisfied in a deal like this,″ Hunt’s lawyer, Donald Flanary, told the Star-Telegram. ``But it’s a settlement.″
Phone calls today by The Associated Press to Flanary and to Fitzpatrick’s lawyer, Jack Baldwin, were not returned.
``We’re completely satisfied with the monetary amount. She is happy to get this sad story in her life behind her so she can ... pick up the pieces and start fresh,″ Baldwin told the Morning News.
The lawsuit says the younger Hunt sexually assaulted Fitzpatrick when the 42-year-old woman was visiting the Hunts at their suburban Dallas home in 1997.
Hunt, 43, is the grandson of pioneer Texas oil magnate H.L. Hunt.
Forty years ago, the elder Hunt launched the American Football League, which included his Dallas Texans franchise. The team later became the Kansas City Chiefs, whose ownership is held through trusts by Lamar Hunt Jr. and three siblings.
The elder Hunt also is an investor in the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer and a founding investor in the Chicago Bulls.
Fitzpatrick lives in York, Pa., and is the sister of Hunt’s wife, Jocelyn, who has filed for divorce.
Attorneys said Fitzpatrick lives in Pennsylvania with another sister who helps care for her and consented to the release of her name. The AP ordinarily does not identify sexual assault complainants unless they or their guardians consent.
In letters of apology to his sister-in-law and her parents that were obtained by the newspapers, Hunt acknowledged having sex with her. In court documents filed in response to the October 1999 suit, however, Hunt denied sexually assaulting her.
Hunt is past president of the board and headmaster of a small college preparatory school in Irving. He is also a vice president of Unity Hunt Inc., a holding company for business entities controlled by his father.