*Anita Baker managed to avoid jail time in Detroit today by reaching a last minute agreement with her ex-husband’s attorney regarding the couple’s divorce settlement.
The 52-year-old songstress and her attorneys were able to create a process that eventually will decide how much her former husband Walter Bridgforth is owed in music royalties as part of the couple’s split.
“I’m so happy. … I have never been in such a position before,” Baker told he Associated Press in the hallway outside court. “And we don’t intend to ever be in such a position ever again. I just wanna go home, and I’m happy to go home. … As horrific as it could have been, it was lovely to feel supported, though, on the other end.”
Baker, best-known for hits such as “Giving You the Best That I Got,” faced a deadline of this past Wednesday to sign documents to empower court-appointed music contract expert Howard Hertz to seek information from the record companies on the amount owed to Bridgforth.
But when that deadline passed and Baker again didn’t sign Thursday, Wayne County Chief Family Court Judge Lita Masini Popke ordered the singer back to court Friday to sign or be jailed. On Thursday, Popke said Baker had been uncooperative, and the singer complained of being “muzzled.”
At Friday’s hearing, Baker rose to speak under oath, telling the judge it was a “very stressful situation” to have to review the documents under the threat of jail.
After a recess, Popke relented, saying: “I’m not going to hold you in contempt or send you to jail today.” The judge then instructed Baker, her lawyers, Bridgforth’s attorney Hanley Gurwin and Hertz to work out language acceptable to all parties.
The sides retreated to the jury room and returned later to inform Popke that they had reached a deal. The agreement calls for Hertz to report back to the court by late April on his dealings with the record companies. Everyone seemed pleased with the outcome, even the judge.
“Miss Baker, I thank you for your cooperation,” Popke said. “I apologize for the stress that this obviously put on you, but I think we’ve reached a very successful conclusion and can move forward.”
The royalties in question would come from two albums released during Baker’s marriage to Bridgforth, who wasn’t in court Friday. His lawyer, though, was relieved to have the matter behind him for now.
“It wasn’t easy,” Gurwin said. “Obviously, it took us two days to get this done. But we did get it done.”
damn, she got fat!!
What happened to her marriage and career for that matter – I think her last c.d. came out in 2004.
My heart goes out to her.
Fuckin spouces always wanna have they hand in your damn pocket. Shyt get yours I got mine..
Good for her ass. I never could stand this cow!
LOL … She was on The Mo’Nique Show a couple of weeks ago. I hate her voice and would rather listen to a recording of her than watch her on television or see her in concert. UGH!
All i know is she can be shady as Babyface had to go through similar actions to get paid for the songs he wrote for her. She didn’t want to pay him……
shoot, when I win the lottery, I’m just going to have my man whacked!! “cheaper-to-bury-them” lol
Now, nightshift, you know you wrong. If you want to get rid of a leaching spouse, do it the “Jimmy Hoffa way.” When you get the mofo bumped off, make sure you’re out of town with a lot of folks around to verify your attendace, make sure the prep turns your mofo’s clothes inside out (robbery, you know), and make sure the Rolex watch and gold he bought from your spousal support is not on his body. ha-ha-ha!
If a woman can get alimony, why can’t a man? Walter contributed to her career, etc. I don’t know why it’s a problem.
Really…I don’t recall seeing him in the studio doing backup…WTH? What did he do? Hold her purse while she shopped? Dust the piano…?I’m just asking…?
If the shoe was on the other foot, would you be complaining? You’d be cryin’ about why she ain’t get half. If it’s good for the goose, it’s good for the gander!
OK…maybe this is Karma because from what I understand, Anita Baker is a REAL piece of work and now she must come off that Diva high horse. She looks pretty damn stupid if you ask me…
Anita been a bitch from day one. She always had conflict with folk at every turn.
I have heard that she was a true piece of work and had the divatude down-pat…. Her husband was all up in her career while they were married, so that brother should get some of the royalties AND it was already agreed upon during the divorce settlement. Just pay up Anita. She has had several run-ins with folks over payment for songs (i.e. Luther Vandross, Babyface, etc.)