Witness for the Persecution

Kim Mascola's life reads like a made-for-TV movie script. In fact, it nearly became one. Then the lawsuits started to fly.

A A A Comments By Dan Lovely Thursday, Dec 18 1997

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Vitale decided to split the money in the bank account between Mascola and Franklin -- from his writ of garnishment Franklin obtained $679.25.

The Abraham lawsuit continues with motion after motion and no resolution in sight. "It just goes on and on," Mascola says quietly, with increasing desperation. "It's very confusing, very disheartening."

Her current attorney in the movie-deal case, Steven Naturman of Miami, has told her he will have to withdraw. "It's bankrupting his firm," she explains. Figuring she now owes Naturman about $30,000, she adds with a sigh, "I'll probably spend the rest of my life paying him off."

In the support case, Mascola's appeal is being handled by the state revenue department in Tallahassee; she says the attorney there doesn't return her phone calls.

The Florida Bar threw out her complaint against Barry Franklin, finding no ethical violations. On January 28 Franklin will argue before appellate judges in West Palm Beach that he deserves more than $6800. Mascola plans to be there, even though January 28 will be the twins' fourth birthday.

"The basic issue is still that these people are stealing from my children," Mascola declares angrily. "This is about two kids who survived only to be buried in the legal system. I hope some attorneys will come forward.