Sean (left) and Leigh Anne Tuohy (right) were spotted for the first time since Michael Oher (center) claimed they tricked him into a conservatorship.Photo:Matthew Sharpe/Getty
Matthew Sharpe/Getty
The Blind Sidereal-life parentsLeigh Anne and Sean Tuohyhave been spotted publicly for the first time since retired NFL star Michael Oher made the claim thatthe couple lied about adopting himfor financial gain.
Ralph Nelson/Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett
The former athlete claims in his petition that the family secured a deal worth $225,000 plus 2.5% of the film’s net proceeds. The movie, which starredSandra BullockandTim McGraw, earned more than$300 million at the box office.
Lawyers for the Tuohysresponded to Oher’s allegationson Wednesday, insisting they “treated [Oher] like a son” and are willing to release him from the longstanding conservatorship.
“If that’s what he wants to do is terminate it, we’re glad to do so,” attorney Randall Fishman said in a press conference in Memphis. “As a matter of fact, it is our intent to offer to enter into a consent order as it relates to the conservatorship, and then if they have other issues, we’ll deal with them.”
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.
When asked why the Tuohys didn’t adopt Oher during the initial legal proceedings, Fishman said “it didn’t make any difference to the Tuohys.”
Farese said Oher managed all of his own finances without interference from the Tuohys. “He entered his own contracts. He has his own agents,” the attorney said.
“They did not share in his money. They did not control any shoe contracts, anything of that nature,” Farese added.
As for why the conservatorship was not terminated sooner, Fishman said that “nobody even thought about it.” According to Farese, the Tuohys and Oher have been estranged for the last 10 years.
“We continue to stand with Michael andthe statement he released. We also concur with his attorney, Don Barrett, we believe that justice will be served in a courtroom where cases are based on facts.”
source: people.com
