Vegas penthouse center of Bollea divorce

Thursday, August 14, 2008

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Terry Bollea took the stand for the first time in a two-day divorce hearing that started Wednesday.

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Lawyers for celebrity wrestler Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, and his wife, Linda, were back in court Wednesday to try to work out the terms of the couple's divorce.

The Bolleas and their attorneys spent the entire first day in divorce court arguing over the purchase of a penthouse.

Hogan explained why he believes buying a penthouse at The Palm Place in Las Vegas is a bad move.

"We've got this situation with the personal liability and John's (Graziano) health and his well being," Hogan said. "And it's just, you'd have to be, it's embarrassing to think that somebody would desire to have a $4.25 million party palace. And what would you say to the Graziano family? I don't understand."

Graziano is the marine who suffered severe brain damage after riding with Hogan's son, Nick Bollea, when he crashed his car. Graziano is suing Hogan for lifelong medical expenses.

Linda, who filed for divorce last November, wants to go ahead with the penthouse deal. Her attorney says Hogan is only looking out for himself, and doesn't believe Hogan is trying to get out of the penthouse deal because of Graziano.

Things became heated between Linda's attorney, A.J. Barranco, and Hogan when he took the stand.

"When Larry Rudolph started talking to us about the Palm, he said it was a great investment," Hogan said.

Barranco replied, "Objection, sir, just answer my question. What's the conversation you had with Linda Bollea, not with Mr. Rudolph."

Hogan said, "Well after we were informed by Mr. Rudolph about the..."

"Objection, sir, please answer my question," Barranco said.

Linda's appraiser told the judge he believes the Las Vegas penthouse is worth $4.5 million. Hogan's appraiser told the judge it's worth $3.5 million.

More Information

Hogan talks about the case
Bolleas in court
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You can watch the full interview with Hulk Hogan on Bay News 9 On Demand Channel 342 in the News Stories section

Outside of the courthouse, Bay News 9 spoke with Hogan and his attorney, David Houston, and asked why Hogan is battling his wife in divorce court instead of just splitting their assets 50-50.

"Hey, if we could cut it 50-50 we'd resolve this case. We've got a person who wants an allowance for $6,000 a month for clothing, $7,500 a month for a maid," Houston said. "They want to be able to take limos. They want to be able to do extraordinarily unrealistic things."

Barranco responded to that saying they don't know what 50-50 is because they claim Hogan set up corporations to hide money.

Graziano's attorney says he hopes Hogan's telling the truth about wanting to save money for Graziano's care.

The judge wanted to resolve the condo issue by the end of the day, but that didn't happen. The Bolleas will go back to court Thursday.

"The whole ridiculous nonsense of buying a $4.25 million party palace, you know, which three or four years ago it sounded like a good idea for an investment," Hogan said. "Now, with the situation with my wife and her 19-year-old boyfriend to go party in this place. Situations like John's are much more important. I don't get it. I mean what don't you understand about that?"

"My response to that is he's a professional wrestler," Barranco said. "He's a professional actor. He's a professional fake. She loved John Graziano like a son. She treated him like a son. So for Mr. Hogan to say that -- consider the source."

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