Terry Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, the famous American actor and retired professional wrestler, has been battling divorce with his wife of 24 years, Linda Marie Bollea, since late 2007.
In early 2009, Hogan had a heated confrontation with Ray Rafool, Linda’s lawyer, after the wrestler overheard Rafool, a 
high-power Coral Gables attorney who is no stranger to high-profile divorce cases, make comments to reporters alleging Hogan was holding marital assets captive. Rafool’s accusations suggested Hogan was hiding assets and recklessly spending what is now the remnants of the Hogan $10 million family fortune, partially by providing his new girlfriend with a hefty sum of $4,000 per month. Hogan’s lawyer, David Houston, told refuted the claims by explaining he felt the Hogans’ assets were being diluted more so by the considerable costs of the divorce than by the Hulk’s allegedly wild spending habits.
During court proceedings in March of 2009, Hogan testified to having only $412,000 in his bank account of which he owed $312,000. Hogan appeared on the stand in crutches, having recently undergone back surgery.
Rafool, who has a reputation for being aggressive, well-prepared and confident, fervently debated the financial issues at hand with Hogan’s lawyers in ardent defense of his client’s best interest. Hogan’s attorneys then explained the need to unfreeze a monthly sum of $300,000 in marital assets in order to help both Hogan and Linda meet monthly expenses. These expenses include massive attorney bills that had begun to pile up from the divorce in addition to a lawsuit involving son Nick after he was implicated in a racing crash that brought serious injuries to his friend in 2007, and several messy business involvements.
Shortly after Pinellas Circuit Court Judge George Greer granted Hogan access to $225,000 per month in previously frozen assets in order to meet his expenses, the confrontation between Rafool and Hogan ensued. Angry at previous accusations made by Rafool concerning the concealment of marital assets, Hogan stood up to Rafool and threatened to sue him. Rafool did not stay quiet, asking the wrestler whether he planned to wrestle with him there in the court and come across the cameras at him.
Ironically, Rafool had asked the famous wrestler for an autograph for his son right before court proceedings that same day.
Rafool later told the media the argument had spun more out of control than he had hoped, admitting some of it was nothing more than clever joking between the two about the wrestling, both of them laughing a bit and smiling as the confrontation occurred.
The Hogan divorce finally came to a close in mid 2009 after two long years of feuding. The divorce was finalized in a short hearing during which Hogan told the court that he and Linda had finally reached an agreement in regards to the terms of the separation. They further explained their desire to put aside the long, harsh feud and move on.
Tags: Hulk Hogan, Linda Bollea, Ray Rafool, Terry Bollea
