Friday, April 16, 2010

Guru Scam

A self-help guru who doubles as a psychic to the stars preyed on her wealthy ex-lover's "psychological weaknesses" to rip him off, a new lawsuit charges.

Adam Robinson, who co-founded The Princeton Review, claims "How to Rule the World From Your Couch" author Laura Day scammed him out of millions with a "calculated plan" to pocket royalties from the test-prep books.

Day - who claims she provided "intuition services" to Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore and Nicole Kidman - allegedly schemed to take over Robinson's finances, the Manhattan Supreme Court suit says.

"Robinson, as Day fully knew, had a psychological infirmity in handling his personal finances," the suit says, explaining Robinson suffers from depression and hypomania.

"Day capitalized on this weakness in order to profit personally and persuaded Robinson to deliver to her signatory power over Robinson's bank accounts."

Starting in 1998, Day demanded one-half of the Princeton Review royalties - a yearly average of at least $350,000.

Robinson also claims he launched Day's career as an author of self-help books by turning her notes into the best-seller "Practical Intuition."

For his efforts, the suit says, he received a $50,000 "token thank you payment," while Day landed a $3 million advance.

A lawyer for Robinson declined comment, and Day did not respond to e-mails sent through her Web site, where glowing quotes from Brad Pitt and Sarah Ferguson are prominently displayed.

jmartinez@edit.nydailynews.com

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