Buzz Aldrin's ex-manager says she's been unfairly defamed
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin was the second man to step foot on the moon. (Invision)
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The former business manager for Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin said Tuesday she's being unfairly defamed in a lawsuit accusing her along with two of his children of misusing his credit cards and slandering him.
Christina Korp also posted a statement on Twitter late Monday blaming people who began to "exert undue influence" on Aldrin, adding that they drove a wedge between Buzz, his children and herself. She told ABC's "Good Morning America" she is saddened by this.
Aldrin's lawsuit filed earlier this month in a Florida state court, came a week after children Andrew and Janice filed a petition claiming Aldrin suffers from memory loss, delusions, paranoia and confusion. The children asked the court to name them as guardians. The lawsuit also notes that Aldrin, 88, was associating with new friends who were trying to alienate him from his family, and that he had been spending his assets as "an alarming rate."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In this Saturday, July 15, 2017 photo, Christina Korp, Buzz Aldrin's business manager, speaks at the commemoration for the upcoming anniversary of the 1969 mission to the moon and a gala for the non-profit space education foundation, ShareSpace Foundation, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Buzz Aldrin is suing two of his children and a former business manager, accusing them of misusing his credit cards, transferring money from an account and slandering him by saying he has dementia. (AP Photo/Alex Sanz) (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Court-appointed mental health experts planned to evaluate Aldrin in Florida this week.
In April, Aldrin underwent his own evaluation conducted by a geriatric psychiatrist at UCLA, who said Aldrin scored "superior to normal" for his age on tests.
"I also believe that he is perfectly capable of providing for his physical health needs, food, clothing and shelter, and is substantially able to manage his finances and resist fraud and undue influence," said Dr. James Spar in a letter to Aldrin's attorney.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In Aldrin's lawsuit, the former astronaut asked a judge to remove Andrew Aldrin from control of his financial affairs, social media accounts and several nonprofit and business enterprises. Andrew Aldrin had been a trustee of his father's trust. Buzz Aldrin said in the complaint that despite revoking the power of attorney he had given his son, Andrew Aldrin continued making financial decisions for him.
Aldrin accused his daughter, Janice, in the lawsuit of not acting in his financial interests and conspiracy, and he accused his former manager, Christina Korp, of fraud, exploitation of the elderly and unjust enrichment. Also named in the lawsuit are several businesses and foundations run by the family.
Aldrin's oldest son, James, isn't involved in the legal fight.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In a statement, Andrew and Janice Aldrin said they're saddened by the "unjustifiable" lawsuit.
Aldrin told ABC on Tuesday that he's feeling great and "there's less confusion and more clarity."
He said "family is forever" and he's "forever trying to patch it up."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Aldrin was a member of the Apollo 11 crew which landed the first two humans on the moon. Aldrin joined Neil Armstrong on the lunar surface in July 1969. Earlier this month, Aldrin was at the White House for President Donald Trump's announcement directing the Pentagon to create the "Space Force" as a new military branch.