Estate wants to know who paid legal fees

Robert Macy

Wednesday, June 7, 2000 | 3:26 a.m.

LAS VEGAS - The estate of Ted Binion wants to know who paid the legal tab for Sandra Murphy and Rick Tabish, the pair convicted of killing the well-known gambler and stealing his valuables.

Attorneys John Momot, Louis Palazzo and Bill Terry were issued subpoenas directing them to provide information on the source of the funds they received for legal services in the celebrated case.

Momot represented Murphy, and Palazzo was Tabish's attorney. Terry served as Murphy's attorney but withdrew before the trial.

Tabish and Murphy were convicted May 19 of first degree murder in Binion's death.

The three attorneys have been ordered to provide the records by June 30.

The subpoenas were filed in state District Court by Binion estate attorney Bruce Judd, who did not return a phone call seeking comment.

The subpoenas order the attorneys to produce all documents relating to payments made by the defendants by cash "or any other thing of value."

In addition to murder charges, Murphy and Tabish were convicted of ransacking Binion's home of cash, rare coins and other valuables after his death Sept. 17, 1998.

"They're looking for proceeds from any illegal activities from the criminal case," Momot said of the subpoenas.

Momot said he had not decided whether to fight the subpoena or comply.

"I don't have any problem with any of it," he added.

"This is civil litigation and they are allowed to seek discovery in this fashion, within certain guidelines," Momot said. "I want to make sure they are within guidelines before making the determination of compliance or, in the alternative, to file a motion to quash the subpoena."

Momot said the only legal fees he received for Murphy's services were paid by "third parties," who he declined to identify.

Wealthy Irishman William Fuller paid $300,000 cash bail to have Murphy released from custody before the trial. She was returned to custody when she failed to adhere to provisions of her house arrest. Fuller attended many of the sessions during her six-week trial.

Momot declined to say how much he was paid for his legal services.

Palazzo and Terry did not immediately return telephone calls from The Associated Press seeking comment.