An attorney for the Touhy’s has claimed Michael Oher threatened the family with negative press prior to his court filings that accused the family of lying about adopting him.
In a statement obtained by People, attorney Martin Singer stated the family “opened their home to Mr. Oher, offered him structure, support, and most of all, unconditional love.”
His statement added, “His response was to threaten them, including saying that he would plant a negative story about them in the press unless they paid him $15 million.”
Singer continues his statement by claiming the former NFL Player has attempted this “play” before and that the lawsuit is a “cynical attempt to drum up attention in the middle of his latest book tour.”
Oher’s attorneys responded to the families’ representatives “We try cases in the courtroom based on the facts. We have confidence in our judicial system and in our client Michael Oher. We believe that justice will be served in the courtroom, and we hope to get there quickly.”
The family portrayed in the 2009 film “The Blind Side”, was accused Monday by Oher of tricking him into signing conservatorship papers instead of adopting him.
Oher the inspiration behind the Oscar-nominated film claimed the conservatorship gave Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy control of the use of his likeness and all business deals.
The filing also claims the Touhy’s negotiated the royalties of the film that left the family and their children with “millions”.
Oher seeks to end the conservatorship and receive compensation based on the money the family received from the successful film.