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Randy Quaid Says Lawyers Are Trying to Kill Him, His Career

By Tanya Roth, Esq. on November 01, 2010 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Artists must be allowed the creative license necessary to make their art. Sometimes, though, this creative way of viewing the world shifts over into real life. Case in point: artist, producer and potential refugee, Randy Quaid and his wife Evi. Randy and Evi Quai have sought refugee status across the border in Canada from what they term a "criminal conspiracy" to deprive them of their livelihood, and possibly, their lives.

Quaid presented a statement to the press explaining why they had taken refuge in the land of hockey sticks and maple leaves, Reuters reports. According to the Quaids, there exists a plot by former business associates to steal money through secret business deals and court cases. The Vancouver Sun reports the full Quaid quote: "I'm being embezzled by this monstrous ring of accountants, estate planners and lawyers who are mercilessly slandering me and trying to kill my career and, I believe, murder me in order to gain control of my royalties."

As Reuters reports, the couple was arrested last week in Vancouver on a warrant after they missed a court hearing in California on charges related to their alleged "mansion squatting" when they were found living in their former home near Santa Barbara. In that case, when the Quaids were taken into custody, they claimed they were still the owners of the house but had been defrauded. They were found squatting in the guest house on the property.

Randy Quaid, however, may be a bit too creative with his legal terms. He might have a difficult time proving in court that his former business associates developed an actual "criminal conspiracy" to deprive him of his wealth. To show a conspiracy, the accuser must prove two or more people agreed to commit almost any unlawful act, and then took some action toward its completion.

Not to belabor the point, but the racketeering accusations are pretty theatrical as well. Reuters reports that after a short hearing with a Canadian immigration officer, Quaid claimed he and his wife "are simply artists and film makers being racketeered on." At this time, it is a bit hard to know where the evidence of a pattern of illegal activity in furtherance of a criminal enterprise will come from, but no doubt Randy Quaid has a plan.

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