The dueling litigation between the only child of "Star Trek" actress Nichelle Nichols and her former manager, which involves allegations of elder abuse and undue influence, has been put on hold after the ex-manager filed for bankruptcy earlier this month.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Stephen I. Goorvitch issued his ruling Monday in the litigation involving the late actress' 72-year-old son, Kyle Johnson, and 84-year-old Gilbert Bell, who filed his Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition in federal court on Oct. 8. The judge scheduled a Feb. 21 hearing for an update on the bankruptcy and told Bell's attorney to file status report by Feb. 5.
Nichols was 89 years old when she died in July 2022 in New Mexico. She portrayed Lt. Uhura, a translator and communications officer, aboard the USS Enterprise in the "Star Trek" series that ran on NBC from 1966-69, and also appeared in some of the later "Star Trek" movies.
Johnson, 72, served during his mother's latter years as her full-time caregiver and the conservator of her person and estate.
Bell became Nichols' manager in 2009 and she insisted he move into the guesthouse on the same property as her Woodland Hills home, according to his suit, which says his monthly rent was $300. Bell often prepared dinner for both of them and they celebrated birthdays together, Bell's suit filed in July 2019 says.
Bell alleges Johnson was wrongfully trying to remove both Bell and Nichols from their homes at the time so that he could sell the property. The allegations in Bell's suit include assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, denial of utility services, elder abuse and breach of contract.
Bell alleged that after Johnson moved in with his mother, he fired her caregiver, her personal assistant and her accountant while also isolating the actress from her friends.
Johnson countersued Bell in August 2020, alleging elder abuse, negligence and both intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The countersuit accuses Bell of "consistent ... and callous conduct," alleging he "took advantage of a highly respected woman when she was vulnerable" and continued to do so as her health declined. Before Nichols died, a judge found that the actress, who suffered a stroke in 2015, had dementia.
Johnson alleges Bell exerted influence and assumed control over Nichols' assets and personal life by telling the actress lies, fabricating documents and establishing legal entities controlled by Bell in order to profit from her personal affairs.
When Johnson was named his mother's conservator, who had been close to financial ruin due to Bell's alleged wrongful actions and was in danger of being forced to move to move into an institutional setting, the countersuit states.
Bell was hospitalized in 2019 for high blood pressure, chest pains and stress caused by Johnson's intimidating behavior, which has included a threat to kill him while holding Nichols' cane, the suit alleges.
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