Marvel Comics mogul Stan Lee
won renewal of a protective order on Friday against a onetime
business manager accused of subjecting the 95-year-old
" Spider-Man" co-creator to elder abuse after taking charge of
his affairs earlier this year.
Keya Morgan, a New York-based memorabilia collector who
became involved with Lee following the death of Lee's wife last
year, must stay least 100 yards (91.4 metres) away from the
Marvel magnate for the next three years, the restraining order
states.
The order further requires Morgan, also known as Keyrash
Mazhari, to stay away from Lee's daughter, Joan Celia "C.J."
Lee, 68, and his 86-year-old brother, Larry Lieber.
"Stan Lee and the Lee family are happy that the court saw
fit to try to prevent further intrusion into the personal life
and affairs of Mr. Lee," his lawyer, Jonathan Freund, told
Reuters by phone.
Lee is co-creator of " Spider-Man," " Iron Man," " The Hulk"
and dozens of other superheroes that have become mythic figures
in U.S. pop culture with soaring success at the movie box
office. Recognized by fans for his cameo appearances in each of
Marvel's live-action films, Lee has an estate worth some $50
million, according to previous court documents.
Freund said Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Laura
Hymowitz granted the restraining order on the basis of evidence
outlined in an earlier petition and a brief presentation he made
in court on Friday. He said neither Lee or Morgan were present
for the proceedings.
A previous restraining order issued in June against Morgan
was dismissed in July over confusion about Lee's legal
representation. Freund said Friday's action essentially renews
and extends that order.
The original petition and supporting documents alleged
Morgan seized control of Lee's home and hired security guards
with orders to keep away trusted relatives and associates of Lee
before moving him from his longtime home to an unfamiliar
condominium.
In doing so, the petition alleged, Morgan was "unduly
influencing" and "isolating" Lee, contrary to a video Lee
himself posted to Twitter in June describing Morgan as his "only
partner and business manager."
Morgan has denied allegations of abuse. But he was arrested
in June on suspicion of making a false police report for placing
an emergency 911 call for a burglary in progress at Lee's home.
The call was made after two police detectives and a social
worker arrived to check on Lee's welfare, according to a police
affidavit filed with the original petition.
Freund said Lee was now back home and managing his own
affairs with help from his daughter and others on his "team,"
while he "continues to try to work a little every day...to
develop new characters and stories."
"I believe his health is improving," Freund said, adding
that the stress of the past nine months "took a toll."