Brittany Murphy and Factory Girl writer-executive producer Simon Monjack shocked friends, family and celebrity gossip readers in April by marrying after only four months of dating.
The couple skipped the proposal and honeymoon, exchanging Neil Lane rings in a surprise wedding in a private L.A. home with only their families present.
But now the happy bride's inner circle is growing concerned about her new man's history before he swept Brittany Murphy, 29, off her feet.
Among his troubles: two warrants for his arrest in Virginia for alleged credit-card theft and fraud; an unpaid $6,087 legal bill, and a $502,910 judgment against him by a British investment firm.
We don't know what it says about our readers that they were onto Simon Monjack apparently long before Brittany, or any of her friends or family.
But bless you all.
Moreover, Us Weekly reports in its new issue that Monjack gave a former fiancée, British film producer Taira Rafiq, an engagement ring he had told her was a diamond but was, in fact, cubic zirconia.
"Taira tried to get in touch with Brittany Murphy to warn her," a Rafiq pal says.
Simon Monjack also was jailed earlier this year for overstaying his visa, and Murphy had to bail him out when he faced deportation.
"Simon began pushing for marriage, since he was going to be deported," says a source, adding that Murphy paid for her own engagement ring.
That is soooo lame. Even Spencer Pratt paid for Heidi Montag's.
Simon Monjack's response to the Us Weekly story:
"It is a real tragedy that success, greed, envy and celebrity are the motivation for attacking my family and character."
Ah yes, the classic and oh-so-compelling Britney Spears defense. Blame the press. Suffice it to say, he uses the word "character" loosely.
The Hollywood Gossip can't claim any first-hand knowledge of this shady man's character, but we'll continue reporting what we hear from fans as well as other celebrity gossip publications. Revelations like these may only be the beginning.
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3 Comments
May 30th, 2007 10:29 AM
We are so relieved the truth is beginning to come out. This guy is the lowest life form that exists to mankind. He does not care who he steals from, uses and hurts. He has never been famous for anything or made any money himself.
Let's hope the press continues the research, there is much more out there.
Brittany made an honest mistake, this guy is slimy but good at conning and preying on weak and trusting women. She has our support and understanding. Get rid of him!
June 25th, 2007 9:53 AM
Simon is slowly crashing and burning as he did to others so shall it be done to him. Serial killers get caught, burglars get caught and so shall sociopaths.
July 6th, 2007 11:10 AM
This guy is a sociopath. He's a fraud, cheat, liar and a thief. I should know, i dated him for two years. He stole off me, his family (he stole my enagement ring from his grandmother) and his work colleagues (he stole one guys feature film - the actual show reels!!!). He lied to me, his family and his work colleagues. He was finally admitted to The Priory in London in 1997 and then proceeded to rip-off everyone he met in there. His day will come and i'll be there clapping, joyously.