Ex-stripper inherits $223,000 from former customer with whom she'd had an 'everlasting friendship'
The former HBO executive's family was not happy with the court's decision
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A former stripper received the tip of a lifetime when she received a six-figure inheritance from a former client and friend - whom she’d met only months before his death.
Veronica Beckham, 34, met the former HBO executive, Micky Liu, back in July 2014 at the Atlantic City Scores strip club.
The pair soon became “friends,” according to Beckham, who described the relationship they had as an “everlasting friendship” in court documents.
But Liu, who suffered from diabetes and heart disease related to being obese, according to the New York Post, died less than a year later at the age of 50.
Despite knowing each other for such a brief time, Liu obviously felt the same way about their relationship - as he named Beckham the beneficiary of his retirement accounts and a life-insurance policy worth a combined $223,000, according to court records.
Unfortunately, not all of Liu’s relatives were happy with his leaving his inheritance to a former exotic dancer.
Micky’s sister, May Liu, challenged the inheritance in a Manhattan court - suggesting that “Beckham, as a professional exotic dancer, was adept at applying and using coercion and manipulation upon men.”
In the Manhattan Surrogate’s Court suit, May Lui also claimed Beckham “preyed upon Micky Liu’s vulnerability by exerting influence over him in the form of moral coercion.”
But despite May’s attempts to block Beckham from inheriting her brother’s inheritance, the courts ruled that Beckham was entitled to the money - and only former girlfriends of Micky could sue for the funds.
According to Beckham, however, her and Micky’s “everlasting friendship” was strictly platonic, and no sexual relationship ever existed between the pair.
As for her plans with the money, Beckham has started a new career as a fashion designer and stylist to the stars - and has denied claims she is a gold-digger, calling the “lurid” accusations “untrue.”
Despite losing the case, May Liu’s attorney, Stephen Holihan, told the New York Post: “We’re reviewing the decision.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments