Dubai Telegraph - Parents of Deceased Model Fight to Maintain $4 Million Judgment Against Shawne Merriman Associate

The parents of Kimberly Fattorini, a Playboy model who died from an overdose in 2017, are opposing a motion by Elias Wehbe to reduce the $4 million wrongful death judgment awarded against him. Wehbe, an associate of former NFL star Shawne Merriman, argued that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to justify the seven-figure sum he was ordered to pay.

Court documents obtained by TMZ reveal that Deann and Ferdinand Fattorini dismissed Wehbe’s attempt to lower the financial penalty. The couple pointed to alleged text messages sent by Wehbe on the night Kimberly died, in which he instructed her to come to his home to use cocaine. The parents argued during the trial that Wehbe had a pattern of drugging women to facilitate sexual encounters.

The Fattorinis also highlighted evidence suggesting Wehbe ignored warnings about drug safety. They claimed he watched an inebriated Kimberly enter an Uber with Merriman despite reading a text message indicating that one of Wehbe’s friends had placed GHB in her drink. Additional alleged texts showed the group discussing drugs and using derogatory language toward women at the residence.

In their legal filings, the parents asserted there was ample evidence to support the original judgment and urged the judge to uphold it. The lawsuit stemmed from the 2017 incident where Kimberly died after consuming a combination of cocaine, alcohol, and GHB. While officials ruled her death an accident, her parents’ civil suit alleged that Merriman slipped GHB into her drink.

Merriman has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Fattorini’s death. The initial ruling held both Merriman and Wehbe liable for the wrongful death, resulting in the $4 million award to the family.

B.Krishnan--DT