Wrigley’s gum fortune at stake in paternity suit
Tags: florida, Helen Rosburg, Palm Beach, William Grant DeGray, Wrigley's
| Sunday 19 April 2009 10:57 am
The young son of socialite and romance novelist Helen Rosburg, heiress to the Wrigley’s chewing-gum fortune, is entangled in a paternity suit that could cause the $50 million-trust fund he’s been bragging about to get much thinner.
Erica Curcio and William DeGray
Wellington 20-year-old Erica Curcio first sued William Grant DeGray III, 22, for paternity and child support when their son, Reef, was born, in July 2007.
Since then, the fact that DeGray¹s the baby daddy has been established. But the rest could get ugly.
How much DeGray will have to pay in child support for nearly two decades and the child’s custody arrangements will be determined after a trial on a Palm Beach County family court next week, according to court records.
In those papers, DeGray lists no income, no job and no academic degree. He’s trying to become a professional surfer.
But while DeGray is getting about $10,000 a month from one small trust fund, he stands to inherit more than $50 million, although he has refused to provide the court details about his trusts.
Helen Rosburg
A source close to the case said Rosburg’s family is worried that Curcio’s lawyers are going to attempt to dip into DeGray’s larger treasure chest.
Curcio’s attorney didn’t return calls and had an assistant say he has no comment.
“I can’t comment,” said DeGray¹s attorney, the famously press-shy Troy Klein. “I’m here to protect Mr. DeGray’s assets.”
There is evidence in the case file, meanwhile, that Curcio will try to gain full custody of the boy. DeGray, according to court papers, is facing a DUI charge after a December arrest. And he has been sued in a civil court in West Palm Beach by a former galpal who accused DeGray of abusing her.
Rosburg, meanwhile, unloaded her Palm Beach mansion for $4.5 million and moved into a $500,000 condo on Flagler in West Palm Beach.
The only thing I see here is a spoiled brat that has never worked a day in his life worried about losing his undeserved fortune to take care of HIS child. Wake up and realize what is really important here and that is the well being of your child ,not you silver spoon tarnishing .
is all about the money he has to get a real job and just be a productive member of society this money that he gets $ 10000 is his income so far thats in his family fortune has nothing and let me repeat this to miss Curcio’s attorneys and again $10000 is his income case closed please act with principal not GREED!!!! there’s a child her that down the road would remember how booth sides can be so wrong no matter how much money is involved.
I think it’s an absolute shame that this is in the paper. How dare the post stoop so low and be so irresponsible. I think both families should sue the post.
I agree with Holly. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPURTUNITY TO THANK THE PALM BEACH POST FOR DOING SUCH A GREATJOB OF SUCH IRRESPONCIBLE REPORTING.HOW CAN A NEWSPAPER REPORTER BE SO UNAWARE OF THE TIMES WE LIVE IN. THIS SEEMS LIKE A PERSONAL ISSUE THAT HAS NO BUSINESS BEING MADE PUBLIC . THE CARE OF CHILD AND MOTHER IS ALL THAT MATTERS. AN INNOCENT CHILD WHO DIDN’T ASK TO BE BORN AND A MOTHER WHO’S ENTIRE LIFE HAS BEEN REDIRECTED. THERE FUTURE AND WELL BEING IS WHAT MATTERS. MAYBE THE COURT CASE WILL GET THIS MATTER RESOLVED .
I’m just not sure how this has any relevance to public discourse or current events. It’s not even very good gossip. Regardless of what this kid is, Wrigley or not, there are thousands of people like him without trust funds in all too similar situations. However, the point that this article is simply unfair or unfocused is besides the point. The frenzied interest in his case and family life only perpetuates The Palm Beach Post’s notorious reputation for slander, weak and unprofessional journalism, and an affinity for the rich and all things material. Shame on you, Palm Beach Post, for thinking the humiliation of a private individual is newsworthy gossip.
Ahhhhggggg…but ya all read it,didn’t ya!!!!
Any case brought before the courts automatically falls within the interests of the the public. The public has a right to know about, and a right to express opinions on whatever comes before the courts*.
It’s cases such as these, that involve the lives of celebrities and the very wealthy, that add to the very definition of life in the greater Palm Beach area. And being the mere pauper citizen that I am, I find the story most interesting and informative, if not entertaining.
Why all the shock from readers over this story? By now you should be accustomed to the direction the Post has been heading towards the last few years. Call it tabloid twitter. They hire a gossip columnist (from the enquirer no less) and just trumpet all these inside stories we just gotta know about. The kicker is the new “Home Page of Paradise” slogan they are using on line. Guess paradise is full of jail mug shots, seedy gossip and drive by shootings. And it still won’t boost - or stabilize - circulation.
When I first learned of this article I was shocked and heartbroken. These two wonderful young people are simply trying to get on with their lives and raise their child. I’m proud of them both. And yet now I see my son’s name blackened in an article where about the only thing that is correct is the spelling of their names. Every single monetary amount mentioned is totally inaccurate. In fact, if the truth were known, there would be no interest and no article at all. Don’t look for me in West Palm either, by the way. That part’s wrong, too. I live in a totally diffent city, far away from a scene I despise.
this article would probably be a lot more informative if any of it were true.
obviously, it isn’t.
and, even more obvious is that you didn’t contact Will, Erica, Helen, or anyone else remotely close to the situation.
congratulations on a super article, genius.
Wow. What an ugly story, and sounds like it’s inaccurate to boot. (Her website says she’s living elsewhere).
Tell me: why the fascination with Tripp Palin, and now this Reef baby? I thought you flaming liberals were supposed to be all about compassion and tolerance, and understanding that kids today have looser sexual mores, and it’s all good and all that liberal line.
Is it just wealthy white offspring you choose to publicize? With taglines like this: Cash, Catfights, Hookups, Hotties, Island’s Finest
Whose the hottie, Jose? The baby’s mother is exciting you in some way? Is it a “hookup” if they had or have an extended relationship and are concerned about raising their child together?
Why did you have to give us the baby’s name? Is he a public figure here too? Or is this just a way of making a buck in paradise? Playing gossip — even inaccurate gossip — up for cheap page hits?
If the father of this child is using some of his $10,000 income (trust fund money is considered investment income, right?) monthly to support his baby, what the heck business is it of the Palm Beach COunty public?
Really, I know you’re on the gossip beat, but isn’t there some more productive stories that could be covered? I think the publisher was promising us some stories on how those TARP funds were being spent locally, and how the entitlement reform was coming. Can you help at all with those beats Jose?
Because that young mother — she’s no “hottie”; I didn’t see anything in there about a “catfight”; and even the “island’s finest” aren’t deserving of Church Lady taglines from a hack moralist. (Did you really come to the Post from the Enquirer? Isn’t that paper one step away from “inventing” news? Is that why they brought you aboard? Enquiring minds want to know…)
Let me just add, as a person involved with both of them. That picture of them was taken at 17 years old! and how malicious and irresponsible to list the names and location of the child in the society we are in today. Not only was everything in the article false, including the age of the mother who is definitively older. But both families are not even feuding over this situation and want the child to live the best life they can give him. And next time you people want to discriminate on somebody because there looks and not listed as a “hottie” maybe you should do deeper research from 17-21. These pictures arent even accurate as to what the Parents look like..this is just shameful.
Just more garbage from a bottom-feeding sack of, well, you know…
Cut this guy loose and use the savings to get some heavier paper stock, so I’m not seeing page 1 backwards while reading page 2.
Since we are in tough economic times and the Post is hurting like everyone else, I think they should fire this writer. Who cares about a Palm Beach Punk who thinks he is a surfer. Where does he surf? outside of mommy’s mansion? I dont know who is more of a loser? This writer, Jose or the moron donor daddy, whatever his name? Jose your writing stinks, first you write about some sex scandal at a Police department; Who cares, every job has sex scandals, ask around the PB Post. I bet there atleast 4 extra marital affairs there and every place in this county. Both you loers need to get a job, Jose and the wanna be surfer PB short guy DeGrey the 13th! PB Post put his online last so we don’t accidentally click it anymore.
I wish the Palm Beach post would fire Jose!!He is not making any money for the’ Post’,if anything they are loosing from his printed material.I don’t see any professional written articles, ever by this man.Please save money in this economy and let him find another job!!!
As a mother, I cannot let this pass, “Johnny.” I thought it was bad enough to have Jose write such untrue, unkind drivel, and, worse, publish my grandson’s name. But at least the Post was trying to do something productive, like sell newspapers. Your comments about my son’s character and ability, not to mention size, however, tops Jose’s waste-of-space article. You probably kick puppies, too.
I worked along with my daughter-in-law for the DeGrays when William was a baby. Helen was so kind and a great Mother. I find this article to be tabloid trash. These people deserve their privacy in this matter. Jose Lambeit ..Shame on you
Wow, 50 million I wish I knew about that when I was stroking egos so they would stroke me their checks! I could double that for you Jr. wavecrusher…..
Seriously the trust can easily be manipulated so that the mother/child get very reasonable amounts. If the kid wants to surf, let it be it is his money. Look up the heir to the A & P fortune, Huntington Hartford…. that guy smoked through 400 million in the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and had a blast doing it.
Glad Helen spoke up to Jose, who is he to make light of a surfer when all he does is publish gossip. Surfing takes talent……
As a former Child Support Enforcement employee, it will be interesting to see how much justice his money will be able to buy. He should have to face the 17-23% for the one child that everyone else must face. The child should be given full medical coverage and support until legally emancipated (18 or 21). I will bet w/ good lawyers he will get away w/ a lesser sentence just as Rush Limbaugh and Joel Epstein. $$$$ talks and Lady Justice is not blind.
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he’s a spoiled little brat,but really,how about the money hungry mamma in this,how much do you think a child costs to support?I get $150.00 a week in child support for my son and that’s more than sufficient,a judge needs to remember it’s for the kid, not to keep her highlights fresh or her nails filled.
Another chick looking to cash out rather than nurture. I say if she cannot provide support for this kid herself, take it from her impoverished dirty mitts and use money from one of these trusts to care for it.
Garnish BOTH their wages.
The last two comments take the cake.! Where in the article does it say the Mother of this child is not taking care of her child and working.? The article stated the father list no income, no job! I don’t think there would be a law suit sueing for child support if dad was helping support his child. Learn how to read. The comment left by catfish states the facts and that child has legal rights 17%-23% of combined income. Its unfair and wrong to judge either of these persons without knowing or understanding the entire history. And yes fathers that don’t help care for their children should go straight to Jail…NO excuses!!!
Thanks Amy G, expecially with anyone knowing the mother knows that she busts her ass running her own private scuba company,and works for a very prestigious hotel, maybe Jose shouldve posted her companies name so at least she could’ve gotten more business! Once again Jose, Way to slander and not do your research.
I am the God Mother of the child in this article. This is not a story of a gold digger as this article portrays. This man was not even there when the child was born, and did not even see him until he was 3 months old. Erica has an education, a scuba instructor’s license and works. She takes care of her child to the best of her abilities and has a strong loving family that supports her. The man has had a history of drug abuse, and is in and out of Erica’s life. I do not think there is anything wrong for asking child support since this is his child as well. As far as dipping into a trust fund, I highly doubt that is Erica’s goal here. Her child is her first priority, and the media as usual blows things way out of proportion. I as a long family friend know these people and the child’s interest is at heart here not personal pocket.
Enough bashing and trashing of both parties. No one knows the whole story. Painting the mother as a golddigger or my son as a spoiled rich kid surf bum, is just a bunch of ignorant, uninformed finger pointing. “Judge not lest ye be judged.”
I cant believe some of these comments. Mr.Bojangles and Lisa— First of all “money” cant raise a kid. Second of all 150.00 a week- yeah right, who are you kidding? Tell that to any single mom and they’ll slap you in the face. I was a single mom.The only way 150.00 might work is if you’re on food stamps,don’t have a job and use cloth diapers. That doesn’t cover day care for a week. What are you some 20 year rich kid who has never worked and has no concept of money? Erica has a job and is starting her own company. Second of all They met in school and fell in love despite of what her family wanted.Eventually Will grew on them and they all liked him very much. They were together for 3years and were engaged. The relationship ended badly and a month later Erica found out she was pregnant. This stuff happens all the time and should not be made into headline news.And as for the little highlights and nails comment- Erica’s sister is a hairdresser and the only one she’ll let do her hair so that 150.00 wouldn’t be for her highlights (and her sister charges more than that anyway.) Since her looks were attacked let me just say -This is the worst picture I have ever seen of both Will and Erica. She is a knockout.
I grew up with Will Degray, and while we parted somewhat early on and often did not see eye to eye on lifestyle choices, I find it particularly disgusting that some mediocre gossip blogger would find it appropriate to butt into the lives of a family, regardless of esteem or financial circumstances.
Hopefully this exploitive and transparent attempt for hits on the blog falls deep into obscurity before the time comes for this child to have to stumble upon this poor attempt at “journalism”.
How does Jose get away with his reporting?He should be terminated from the Palm Beach Post!!He should stay out of private issues!!!He makes up stories as he goes,and it hurts families in the process.Its sad the Post keeps him on the payroll!!!!
Wow, i only checked this out cause my girlfriend’s a long time friend of erica. What bothers me isn’t the situation, dead beat dad’s are nothing new, but the fact that the paper published this at all. Is it their business? Is it your’s? Hell no. So why don’t all you “perfect” s#%t talkers worry about your selves for a change. Is there not enough to keep you entertained in Palm Beach? F-OFF………..But 4 the record, I side w/ Erica, she’s young and might not be perfect, but at least she truly loves her son…….Hi Erica,Hi Suzanne, love you. j
I’ve incountered Erica and she is a gold digger. She has always looked for a rich guy to get her pregnant so they would be stuck and she would gain the benefits.
Person above,you clearly must have suffered a rejection from Erica herself in some sort of way. The fact that friends of hers and Mr.DeGrays and Mr.Degrays charming mother have commented that that is completly untrue makes your comment quite ignorant,arrogant and above all stupid balderdash. My guess is you are too illiterate to know what any of those words mean and are probably some dumb pothead,expecially when I know for a fact that Ms.Curcio had a phobia of too much responsibility due to her jetsetting habits most of her younger life. I suggest that you get a life rather than post garbage like that and learn to be a more secure individual.
I have known young DeGray’s mother, Helen Rosburg, for years. There is no classier women and, despite her wealth, she is down to earth and very genuine. She has tried to steer her son Will in the right direction. Success is not the only measure of effort. Hopefully things will work out for the parties, but no one should try to take advantage of Helen’s wealth.
No 34???? What on earth does this story have to do with Helen Rosburg and her defense and her wealth. I can bet she is a classy woman but where does it say anything about any party trying to take advantage of HELEN’s wealth??? Read the article again OR you must be a family member told a different story. Are you the close source to the Rosburg’s family that started this blog? What about the innocent child from a wealthy family and lawyers fighting since July 2007..and the poor mother and father exploited….let along the poor child….and Why on earth is this father not paying child support 10,000 a month is his income? or is it drug money? I’m sure after reading Helen Rosburg’s replies to this blog if SHE felt that way she would have stated that remark herself……None of this should be public anyway….a child is involved..
and TWO parents(NO_one else!!!..but I don’t blame her for defending her SON ,,,its embarrasing
Shame on this blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i love reading the article and then reading all the comments. not only have I been surfing pretty much my whole life but I have surfed in Samoa, Hawaii, a few different islands in the Bahamas and all over the great state of Florida. I not only have been sponsered by clothing companies, surfboard companies and the greatest surf shop ever The Palm Beach Boys club but its pretty much my deepest passion on earth except for my wonderful beautiful son Reef whos name exspresses both mine and his mother, Erica’s deep love for the ocean. If people actually saw me and my son together they would see a loving father and a beautiful little boy who couldnt be happier spending time and playing with his dad and mom. Erica and I take Reef to the beach and let him play in the water, run around in the sand and just plain enjoy being with his loving parents. I will admit that I have not been the best father. I could have been there alot more for both Reef and the Mother I love more then anything Erica. I have battled some demons in my life that I am very ashamed of because they have kept me from being the best possable father, son, boyfriend and brother. Ive been to jail a few times which I am not proud of. Luckily I have had some special people step in my life and have helped start to get me headed the right direction. First I would like it to be known that I do pay child support, second I dont live with my mom or mooch off of her in any way. I live in my own little apartment. I have enrolled in college classes and I am friends with Erica. which most of you idiots out there think is impossable or something. I love Erica and my son Reef with my whole heart. They mean the most to me in my life. But I have made some poor decisions in my life which makes it hard to be there in full mind body and spirit for the love of my life Erica and the other love of my life Reef. growing up in Palm Beach I have grown to love the jealous envious simple minded people that think just because my family has money that I have this easy life with everything I want handed to me whenever. But to clear the air my life has been far from easy. There are a few people who actually know me and know what I have been through. Ive had parents who literally never stop talking trash about each other. I have a step Dad who tries to hard and can turn the most laid back moments into the weirdiest situations on earth. The only thing throughout my actually not easy life that has kept me sane is my sister Ali who I love more then anything on this earth. She is the funniest most loving caring person I know and without her I dont think I would have made it this long. Thank you Ali for being the best sister in the world. And for eveyone who reads this I thank you. You now know my name but not one true fact about me except maybe my age. I hope readers now have some less cloudier view of whats really going on. My email is Reefrdsurf@att.net I would love to hear from people and if you want to maybe understand me and this situation a little better write me… Welcome to Palm Beach where people dont have anything better to do then look through each others trash and peep through windows. I wouldnt live anywhere else.
Erica is a gold digger, BIG time! She has no class and goes from guy to guy trying to get the most out of them. These poor, innocent guys think theyre meeting a nice girl but in reality, her goal is to get pregnant and get the benefits from it all. Shame on you. No body cares about your past. A lot of parents go through divorces and break ups and have money issues. Why is ur story so important? Ms. Curcio is just another young girl that has too much time on her hands. The truth shall set you free….
I know this family so well and its disgusting how someone will write about a family because of the amount of money they have. And what a disgrace to mention how much money he will be getting. Its bullshit they make this guy out to be a piece of shit I know this whole family and they r truely the most genuine most giving people I have ever met. Nobody mentions they gave a family 10 grand so their son could have a kidney transplant!!!! Wow
I dated Erica not too long ago…Back in June and she failed to mention that she was engaged. I dont know what her motives are but she is one confused girl. Shes very secretive and failed to clue me in on a lot of things. It never appeared to me that the childs best interests were at heart. She is very selfish and everything was always about her. Who forgets to mention that they are engaged? Twisted.