Jury finds Kevin Costner not guilty of committing fraud

As previously reported in this blog, celebrities and other entertainers can come under the scrutiny of the public eye and find themselves in the midst of litigation battles. Actors, singers and comedians that have been accused of committing an illegal action can find refuge in a law firm in Phoenix.

One instance of an actor that avoided having his reputation tainted is Kevin Costner and his win against Stephen Baldwin's accusations of fraud. Baldwin alleged that Costner deceived him out of millions of dollars through a contract for oil-cleaning machines after a major oil spill in 2010.

Baldwin and his associate, Spyridon Contogouris, were seeking $17 million in damages, but a federal jury found Costner not guilty, according to the Daily Journal. The plaintiffs did not receive any payouts.

The trial lasted for two weeks and the eight jurors needed less than two hours to deliberate and come to a final decision.

"We're disappointed. We thought we proved rather convincingly that these two guys, Mr. Costner and Mr. Smith, defrauded us," Baldwin's attorney James Cobb told the news source. "The jury saw it a different way but we respect the jury's verdict."

The issue at hand was the lack of information provided by BP – a major oil and gas provider – in regards to the company ordering 32 more oil-separating centrifuges. Baldwin and Contogouris sold their shares in Ocean Therapy Solutions for $1.4 million and $500,000, respectively, but claim that Costner cheated them out of their "fair share of the BP money."

Entertainers or companies in Arizona that find themselves accused of fraudulent activities and other similar allegations may want to partner with a Phoenix business attorney.

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