Crime writer wins €38m lawsuit

on 19/02/2013 20:17:19

Crime writer Patricia Cornwell has won nearly US $51million (€38 million) in a lawsuit against her former financial management company and a former principal in the firm.

The author best known for her series of novels featuring medical examiner Kay Scarpetta, claimed that New York firm Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP was negligent in handling her finances and cost her millions in losses or unaccounted revenue.

Lawyers for the firm and former principal Evan Snapper said there was no money missing from Ms Cornwell's accounts. They blamed losses on the economic downturn and what they called her extravagant spending.

Ms Cornwell has said that she discovered in 2009 that her net worth was under US $13 million (€9.7 million), despite having eight-figure earnings in each of the previous four years.