By Andrew Dalton, Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --Stan Lee's restraining order against a former business manager was extended for three years on Friday, in another apparent step toward stability for the Marvel Comics mogul after a tumultuous year.
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ordered Keya Morgan to stay away from the Marvel Comics mogul and his family members, making permanent a previous temporary restraining order that Lee's lawyers had received.
The 95-year-old Lee has been the subject of a power struggle involving his daughter, Morgan, and others who sought roles in his life and business after the death last year of Lee's wife, Joan, who was his de facto manager and closest adviser.
Lee's lawyer Jonathan Freund told The Associated Press that Lee and his family are pleased he can move forward with his life and get on with his work "without being bothered or harassed."
Morgan, a film producer with a hand in many parts of the entertainment business, gained control over Lee's business for several months this year, until elder abuse allegations emerged from Lee's attorneys and police opened an investigation into the issue. Morgan has not been charged with elder abuse, but he has been charged with reporting a false emergency for calling 911 when a social worker and detectives came to check on Lee.
The restraining order request also alleges he embezzled millions in assets from Lee.
Morgan's attorney Alex Kessel told the AP that his client has done nothing harmful to Lee. "He never has, and he never will," Kessel said.
Morgan has previously adamantly denied he ever had bad intentions with Lee, who he says is a cherished friend.
With Morgan's ouster, Lee's daughter J.C. Lee and her attorneys returned as the main managers of Lee's affairs.
Freund said Le, who co-created the Incredible Hulk, Spider Man, and much of Marvel's comic and cinematic universe, is creating comic characters again, and his previously deteriorating health is improving.
"He's doing better every day," Freund said.
SMPTE elects board officers, regional governors
SMPTE®,the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has revealed the board officers and regional governors who will serve terms beginning in January 2025.
Three new officers--Richard Welsh as SMPTE president, Eric Gsell as SMPTE executive VP, and Polly Hickling as SMPTE Education VP--have been elected for a two-year term from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2026. One SMPTE officer, Lisa Hobbs, will be continuing her service as SMPTE secretary and treasurer for another two-year term. Additionally, Raymond Yeung will be stepping into the role of standards VP on Jan. 1, 2025.
“SMPTE’s membership has spoken,” said SMPTE interim executive director Sally-Ann D’Amato. “These officers have been tasked with an important responsibility, one each of them is prepared to tackle head-on. These next two years are looking bright for SMPTE!”
In addition to the officers, 10 regional governors were elected by the Society to serve two-year 2025-2026 terms.
These include the following regional governors, re-elected to continue their service:
Asia-Pacific Region Governor
Tony Ngai, Society of Motion Imaging Ltd.
EMEA - Central & South America Region Governor
Fernando Bittencourt, FB Consultant
United Kingdom Region Governor
Chris Johns, Sky UK.
USA - Central Region Governor
William T. Hayes, Consultant
USA - Eastern Region Governor
Dover Jeanne Mundt, Riedel Communications
USA - Western Region Governor
Jeffrey F. Way, Open Drives
Also elected were four newcomers to the SMPTE Board:
Canada Region Governor
Jonathan Jobin, Grass Valley
USA - Hollywood Region Governor
Allan Schollnick, Voxx... Read More