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ANNA NICOLE SMITH’s ex-boyfriend LARRY BIRKHEAD has accused his former attorney DEBRA OPRI of making unsecure loans totalling $200,000 (£100,000) to a criminal.

The claims form part of a lawsuit Birkhead has filed against his former lawyer for allegedly defrauding him out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. He also claims Opri promised to represent him free of charge in his custody battle for Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter earlier this year (07).

But Opri argues Birkhead refused to pay $650,000 (£325,000) in legal fees following the court case.

In court papers filed on Tuesday (03Jul07), Birkhead further claims Opri gave approximately $200,000 to John Wu and according to the report, "Mr. Wu had never repaid any portion of the $200,000, yet she had continued to loan him money on four or five occasions over the years because of their close friendship." TMZ reports John Wu recently pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to import missile systems designed to destroy aircraft.

But Opri has submitted a declaration from bodyguard Mark Speer, who alleges he heard Larry discuss billing with Opri. Speer says Birkhead was totally aware that his $1million (£500,000) fee from a TV interview was going to be deposited in Opri’s client trust account. According to Speer, "Larry clearly understood that this money was going to pay some or all of his current legal bills relating to his case with Debra." Birkhead is seeking a minimum of $885,000 (£442,500) in damages and further punitive damages and rescission of any fee agreements he claims to have signed under fraudulent pretences.

PR Inside

Attorney's Fee For Larry Birkhead

TMZ Reports:

TMZ has learned Larry Birkhead got a Fed Ex on Saturday, and it was not good news. It was a bill for legal services from Debri Opri, the lawyer he fired two weeks ago. The total: $620,492.84.

Opri billed her services out at $475 an hour. Here are some of the charges:

- $4,500 for her own personal pr rep

- $4,750 to attend ANS' funeral in the Bahamas even though Larry never asked her to attend.

- $4,265 for Cingular roaming services while in the Bahamas

- $25.75 for laundry service for her husband who was on the trip with her

- $2,467.75 for a dinner that Larry was not present at

Debra also offered him a discount of $511,365.09 if he pays without further discussion.

Do I hear an exclusive interview with "The Insider" or "E" for Larry Birkhead in the very very near future?

Thanks DListed

The Anna Nicole Saga Continues

For those of you still interested, here's what's happening so far.

01) TMZ reported that Anna has been exchanging emails with her doctors about prescription medication and one doctor in particular has sent Demerol to her in the Bahamas when she was like 8 months pregnant. The doctor confirms that he did send the drugs to her address but it was not made out to her.

02) Virgie Arthur is on her way to the Bahamas obviously to cause more problems. Apparently she too wants Danielynn, and the money that goes with it obviously.

03) Larry Birkhead and his lawyer, Debra Opri, parted ways. Must be something to do with billing. Speaking of which, who is financing all this for Larry Birkhead? You know this whole circus is not cheap. Anyways, Debra issued a statement:

"Larry Birkhead and I have terminated our attorney-client relationship effective immediately."

04) Larry will attend a hearining in the Bahamas today with a local attorney representing him.

Stay tuned....