MORE PAIN Alaskan Bush People star Ami Brown sued for $500K after late husband Billy ‘refused to pay investor’ show profits
ALASKAN Bush People star Ami Brown has been dragged into a $500,000 lawsuit against her late husband Billy that accuses him of refusing to pay an investor profits from the popular show.
Investor Robert Maughon filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Billy’s estate and the late star’s business Alaskan Wilderness Family Productions in April 2021, just two months after Billy died.
The court papers read: “The Plaintiff’s claim seeks relief against Billy Bryan Brown inclusive of role as a married person and as to his marital property, and thus it follows that Amora Brown would be further identified as a named Defendant as the relative liabilities and defenses of the marital community in which she has a stake are at issue in these proceedings.
“Amora Brown is not prejudiced insofar as she has been the effectively defending party throughout these proceedings as she has served as the personal representative of the Estate of Billy Bryan Brown since its inception and she has, through her counsel, been the main adversary to Plaintiff in these proceedings.
“Accordingly, it is respectfully moved that the Plaintiff be granted leave to file the amended complaint and expressly identify and join Amora Brown as a named Defendant herein.”
He also filed an amended complaint adding Ami to the lawsuit.
A judge and Ami have not responded to the motion.
BILLY’S ESTATE SUED
As The U.S. Sun previously reported, Robert claimed he entered into a contract with Billy on January 6, 2009, where he invested $20,000.
He claimed Billy, who is an author, agreed to pay him 10 percent of income from the publication and sales of Alaska Wilderness Family Productions derived from books written by Billy.
The payments were allegedly supposed to be for a period of 10 years from the contract date.
Robert claimed in the court papers: “Billy Bryan Brown failed to pay to Plaintiff Robert Micky Maughon the monies called for in the Ten Year contract.”
He then alleged a second contract was made on January 25, 2009, where he invested $10,000 for a “lifetime.”
Robert claimed Billy agreed to pay him 10 percent “of the gross income of Alaska Wilderness Family Productions from the creative works of Billy Bryan Brown, specifically including books, movies, television and documentaries.”
He claimed: “Billy Bryan Brown and [the business] have failed to pay to Plaintiff the monies called for in the Lifetime contract.”
Robert said the amount cannot be known without accounting, but that he believes Billy earned $500,000 per episode of Alaskan Bush People.
He is demanding $500,000 and a trial.
He provided the two alleged contracts in the lawsuit, both seemingly notarized and with Billy’s signature.
Robert also filed a creditor’s claim in Billy’s estate case.
AMI FIGHTS BACK
Billy’s estate filed to have the lawsuit dismissed based on “lack of subject matter jurisdiction,” meaning the federal court, where the case has been filed, does not have the authority to hear or rule on the probate case.
A Washington judge denied her request and ruled to move forward with the case.
Ami responded to the lawsuit: “Plaintiff made no demands for breach or damages until 2014, and at that time making demand on the alleged January 25, 2009 contract, but not on the alleged January 6, 2009 contract, and thereafter unreasonably delaying action or communication with Billy Bryan Brown, again presenting demands and filing legal action in 2021 only after the death of Billy Bryan Brown, who could not then defend the matter with his own testimony.”
The estate is requesting a jury trial and for the Plaintiff to cover attorney costs.
AMI IN CHARGE
As The U.S. Sun previously reported, Billy’s wife Ami, 60, requested to be the personal representative of his estate, which was approved.
Ami revealed “no valid will has been found.”
His wife listed his assets as $439,000, including $415,000 in real property for four parcels of land.
He had $2,000 in a Wells Fargo bank account.
His furniture and household goods were worth $10,000, and he had $12,000 worth of livestock.
At the time of his death, he owed $27,000 in medical bills, making his estate worth $412,000.
DAD’S DEATH
Billy’s official cause of death was determined as probable cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.
Other conditions that contributed to his death were emphysema and seizures.
Tobacco use also contributed to Billy’s passing.
He died at the age of 68 in February 2021 after suffering a fatal seizure at his home in Washington.
Billy was the patriarch of the Alaskan Bush People family.
He is survived by Ami and their children Matt, Bam Bam, Bear, Gabe, Noah, Bird, and Rain.
