February 6, 2007 10:56

Phil Spector to receive $900,000 settlement

Legendary producer’s former assistant has to pay up

Phil Spector is set to receive $900,000 in a settlement following claims that a former assistant embezzled the money from him.

Michelle Blaine was accused of taking $425,000 from Spector’s pension fund and failing to repay him $635,000 he loaned her to purchase a house.

According to the Associated Press, Blaine maintained the house money was a gift, and that the pension funds were to be used as funds for a movie being made to improve Spector’s public image.

Blaine filed a countersuit claiming she was sexually harassed by the legendary producer, and was unfairly dismissed when she refused to keep quiet about information relating to the death of actress Lana Clarkson, who was found shot dead at Spector’s home in 2003. Blaine dropped the countersuit as part of the settlement.

Following his arrest in relation to Clarkson’s death, Spector was freed on $1m bail. His murder trial is set for March.

--By our New York staff.
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