Lindy Lou Layman and Anthony Buzbee’s sprawling Texas home. Photo courtesy of The Houston Chronicle.
Summary: A wealthy Texas lawyer experienced one of the worst first dates in the history of first dates.
Taking someone home on a first date usually isn’t a good idea, but for one prominent Houston attorney, the move cost him over $300,000!
According to the Associated Press, big-time Texas trial lawyer Anthony Buzbee, 49, invited Lindy Lou Layman, 29, to his home on December 23rd after a date. The drunk freelance court reporter got upset with him after he asked her to leave, and she trashed his art collection, including two Andy Warhol paintings worth a million dollars.
“She at some point appeared too intoxicated and she was asked to leave. She wouldn’t and got angry because she didn’t want to leave. The police dealt with it,” Buzbee told Law.com. “It’s not the first time I’ve had guests at a party of mine over imbibe. Most leave when you ask them. She didn’t.”
Layman was arrested for criminal mischief, and she reportedly destroyed $300,000 worth of art. She was released from jail on $30,000 bond.
Buzbee said that Layman got too drunk at his house so he called her an Uber to go home. Allegedly upset by this action, Layman refused to leave and hid inside the attorney’s giant mansion. After not taking the first Uber, Buzbee called a second one, which caused his date to get aggressive.
Police said that Layman tore down several paintings, including the Warhols, and poured red wine on the art while screaming obscenities. She also allegedly shattered two sculptures, worth $20,000 each.
“I collect art. I don’t want it damaged,” Buzbee said. “She also pulled a Renoir and a Monet off the wall. Luckily those weren’t damaged.”
Buzbee is a prominent Republican supporter who has represented former Texas Governor Rick Perry and held a fundraiser for now-President Donald Trump.
Buzbee is well-known in the Houston area for his wealth. He donated $250,000 to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, and in addition to his high-priced art collection, he also bought a M4 Sherman tank that landed on the beach in Normandy with the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII. The tank was parked in front of his home, which caused a brief fight with his homeowner’s association.
A 2014 profile of Buzbee in Texas Super Lawyers Magazine compared the successful attorney to basketball legend, Michael Jordan.
“Competitive? Michael Jordan is competitive. Tony Buzbee is a psycho,” Texas Super Lawyers wrote. “He’s obsessed with winning. And with his landmark victories including the $75 million he earned for offshore drilling workers in a wage-fixing suit, Buzbee’s not only earned respect, but in his 14-year career, he’s pocketed as much money in the courtroom via jury awards as Jordan made on the court.”
According to Heavy, Buzbee was divorced earlier in the year.