Michael Oher“has been kept in the dark” about his finances for nearly 20 years, his attorneys claim in a new legal filing this week.
In the filing, Oher, 37, requests thatSean and Leigh Anne Tuohyfile an initial accounting of his finances within two weeks, asking the court to set a deadline on the Memphis-area couple to clarifywhat money has been madeoff his name sinceThe Blind Side’s 2009 release.
Scott Cunningham/Getty
Adding three new attorneys to his legal team this week, Oher is now asking for the Tuohys to make a full accounting of the money earned from the film. The 2004 conservatorship put the Tuohys in charge of Oher’s financial decisions, despite his having “no known physical or psychological disabilities” that would more often lead a legal adult to agree to a conservatorship.
Local attorneys in Tennessee have told PEOPLEthe arrangement is “puzzling” given adult adoption is an option in the state and that Oher was not just sound of mind, but proved to be a solid student in college. (Conservatorships are often relied upon for people who are physically or mentally unable to take care of themselves.)
Conservators are legally required to file an initial accounting of the individual’s finances when the legal arrangement begins. A conservator is then required to make annual filings with the court every year going forward for the person under their care.
With no paper trail, Oher’s attorneys allege he’s been “forced to rely on the verbal assurances from his co-conservators" about his finances.
From left: Sean Tuohy, Michael Oher, and Leigh Anne Tuohy.Matthew Sharpe/Getty
Matthew Sharpe/Getty
Since Oher’s request last week for an accounting of his finances and for him to be removed from the conservatorship, his attorneys claim the Tuohys “nevertheless have ignored his request and continue to use his name, likeness, and image,” though they did not specify where.Attorneys for Oher and the Tuohys did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Oher alleges the four Tuohy family members — Sean, Leigh Anne and their two children — made $250,000 outright from the movie, according to his petition, in addition to 2.5% in residuals.
The movie went on to make more than $300 million at the box office and continued to make money in distribution in the years after.
Through their attorney, the Tuohys have denied they made millions offThe Blind Side.
Michael Oher.Roy Rochlin/Getty
Roy Rochlin/Getty
Asource close to the filmtold PEOPLE last week the Tuohys have received approximately $700,000 total in rights, payments and profits, which was intended to be divided between the family members — Sean, Leigh Anne, their two biological children and Oher.
Meanwhile,Sean Tuohy said last weekthat Oher’s allegations were “insulting” and left the family “devastated.” He said the family is willing to end Oher’s conservatorship, which he alleged was a route they chose instead of adoption in order to circumvent NCAA rules at the time.After being placed in the conservatorship in 2004, Oher went on to play football at the University of Mississippi and was later drafted to the NFL in 2009.The Blind Sidewas released later that year.
source: people.com
