Here's the funny thing about laws in America. Just because it's legal to do something doesn't always mean it's the right thing to do. Take John Goodman. The 48-year-old businessman from Florida just legally adopted his 42-year-old girlfriend.
And why would anyone want to do anything so bizarre, you might ask? Well, the way the media tells it, Goodman happens to be facing the possibility of losing a whole lot of money in a wrongful death suit that begins next month. As his "daughter," Heather Hutchins would be able keep some of Goodman's money from becoming fair game. Or so it seems.
The legal twists and turns in this crazy story are hard even for a reporter who has heard some doozies to figure out. Right now we know that a fund set up for Goodman's minor kids has been declared off-limits in the lawsuit. So the little kiddos will be safe.
But based on the adoption, it now seems Hutchins will fall under the trust too. After all, she's now his "kid," as disturbing as it sounds (gaaak). If that's true, that would mean the family of Scott Patrick Wilson wouldn't be able to get their hands on extra cash placed in that fund, but Hutchins would. And this is only an assumption, but wouldn't it make sense that a girlfriend, er, daughter would share with dear old dad? There's something like $200 million in there, after all, plenty to go around.
Sadly, Scott himself can't speak up. That's because Palm Beach Police say Goodman ran a stop sign back in 2010, fatally striking the 23-year-old Scott, who had the right of way at the intersection.
Now I know that vehicular accidents can be completely accidental, even when there are fatalities. I've seen them happen to good people, and Goodman has yet to stand trial on charges of DUI and vehicular manslaughter. He's technically innocent until proven guilty.
But most of the time when there is an accident and one person dies, the person who lives shows true remorse, bending over backward to help the families, trying everything in their power to "do good" with their lives for the gift of being the survivor. And it certainly doesn't sound like Goodman is doing that, does it?
It's a perfect example of following the law but not being "in the right" if I ever heard one, don't you think?