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"Psychic" Accused of Conning Author Out of Millions

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Laura Day
Adam Robinson, author of "What Smart Students Know" and co-founder of the Princeton Review, is suing his allegedly psychic ex-girlfriend for conning him out of millions of dollars. In papers filed with the Manhattan Supreme Court yesterday, Robinson said he financially supported psychic Laura Day and wrote most of her books. But Robinson allegedly "had a psychological infirmity in handling his personal finances. Day capitalized on this weakness in order to profit personally, and persuaded Robinson to deliver to her signatory power over Robinson's bank accounts," according to the suit.

Day works as a self-help author and a psychic to the stars, working for such clients as Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Ferguson and Nicole Kidman, and according to her Wikipedia page, she prefers to call herself "intuitive" rather than "psychic." But she allegedly wasn't intuitive enough to write her own books, and Robinson helped her "virtually unusable" raw material into a book proposal and eventually numerous book deals.

The suit says that the "Practical Intuition" proposal landed Day a $250,000 advance, and eventually the book was a huge success. Robinson claims he got a $50,000 "token thank you" for his work, but Day soon began pressing him for half of his Princeton Review royalties, claiming she was broke. Day said the extra money was for her son, but she took for herself. Because of Day's "calculated plan," Robinson was unable to pay his living expenses and the $10,000 he owed the IRS. On her website, Day lists testimonials to her intuition from numerous fans, including Brad Pitt, who says, "I believe in the gut and I believe in Laura Day."

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Comments [rss]

  • odeon

    The beginning of Laura Day's career as a intuitive/psychic coincides with Adam Robinson entering her life:

    An article in the Telegraph.co.uk in November of 2008 reads: ...Her career as a psychic began in her early thirties, shortly after her marriage ended ('I knew when I was walking down the aisle that I would get a divorce') and she found herself in straitened circumstances. She had been casually advising a friend, a hedge-fund manager, on stock investments and asked if he would mind paying for her tips. He obliged and a career was born. Now she gives seminars on how to use the sixth sense and has written five books teaching people how to harness their own 'practical intuition'. 'Anyone can do what I do,' she says. 'It is an idiot's gift.'

    Telegraph.co.uk Article, "Meet Laura Day: The financial psychic of Wall Street who predicted global meltdown" By Helena de Bertodano, Published: 4:55PM GMT 07 Nov 2008

  • Donna

    I never would have thought AR would stoop so low. Laura Day supported him for years, cared for him and always tried to help him. She is an incredible person. I know that she tried over and over to get him a decent job and it never seemed to work out on his end. She is an intelligent, independent woman with many talents, conning isn't one of them.

  • odeon

    In the People February of 1998 article, Laura Day shared that she was facing a mound of bills from a divorce that was still being litigated. She had been teaching intuition workshops and doing a few consulting jobs, and she wondered how she could make ends meet and still be a full-time mother. “At the point when you’re most lost,” says Day, “that’s when intuition kicks in.”

    And went on to say, “Intuition said: Write a book.”

    At that point in time, Laura Day had known Adam Robinson for three years. Prior to knowing Adam, Laura had yet to publish a book.

    Adam said: Write a book.

  • Caligirl84

    PS Her books have gotten a thousand times better since Practical Intuition and she has helped me so much with workshops, exercises and great advice that I can't even express what a positive impact she's had on all areas of my life. And of course all of the help she gave was pro bono.

  • Caligirl84

    They were together for 16 years, his lawsuit sounds like a law suit against being in a relationship.



  • odeon

    In February of 1998, Laura Day told People magazine, "Intuition said: Write a book."

    At that point in time, Laura Day had known Adam Robinson for three years. Prior to meeting Adam, Laura had yet to publish a book.

    Adam said: Write a book.

  • doneover

    I also think it's interesting that two separate commentors who came to Adam's defense saw fit to vary their fonts in the exact same manner. Makes me think the same person is posting twice. I wonder who that could be?

  • doneover

    I knew Adam Robinson years ago when he was with Ms. Day and he lied about who he and his relationship status so he could trawl for women online. We dated, and at the time he was all twisted up about a lawsuit against the guy he founded Princeton Review with. He's not an honest person, and doesn't seem to be able to work with someone without bringing suit. I hope he figures it out for himself so he can stop dragging people through the mud.

  • DrMonaLisa1

    When I found out about this allegation against my good friend and colleague, Laura Day, I felt compelled to write something to let you know that with her incredible character and genuine generosity, she would never be capable of doing what this accuser has stated. And over the last decade that I have known her, I have seen that Laura is generous to a fault. She would never use me or anyone else to further her career, and in fact, she has done just the opposite. Since I have known her, she has bent over backwards to help me in my career. Laura would walk me into people's offices and make introductions, and I have heard about her doing this to other authors never expecting anything in return. I have tried to buy her dinners, gifts etc.. and she always refuses any compensation. In fact, during one recent promotion campaign, I know for a fact Laura turned down financial compensation. I have never heard a bad word about Laura. If anything, you hear about the thousands of people around Laura that she has helped either financially, intuitively or with career connections to make them more successful. Laura is loved and we support her.

  • tribeca

    Adam Robinson is an extraordinary person. He is such a brilliant, beautiful and unique human being. So very kind, sensitive and generous. He is a wonderful friend. I have known Adam for more than 20 years. We both lived in the same neighborhood. I'll never forget the time he learned that I was home sick with a bad cold. He arrived at my loft with chicken soup and Zinc tablets. He is a dear person and a sweet friend.

    If you do not know Adam and if you think standing up for your friend means tearing someone else apart that you do not know...please save your comments. The comments from so called friends of Laura are outright mean spirited and lies.

  • odeon

    Let's see how many best selling books Laura produces POST Adam.

    Chart a timeline of Adam’s accomplishments along side a timeline of Laura’s accomplishments. The spurt in activity and achievements on Laura’s chart will coincide with Adam entering her life. Adam’s timeline will show a progressive concurrent stream of achievements throughout his life.

    I am sure the two inspired and helped each other but it cannot be ignored or denied that Adam is the mastermind who captured Laura’s raw ability in word and gave it form. He shaped a brand that could be marketed. He created a money-making machine.

    The following FACTS also cannot be ignored:

    Adam is a kind hearted person. He is so generous. He is an amazing teacher and mentor. Adam is brilliant. Adam has a BS in Finance and Accounting from The University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School and a MA Jurisprudence from University of Oxford. Adam is a New York Times best selling author of 8 books. He is a Rated Chess Master, awarded Life Title.

    Adam has lived at his current residence for 20 years.

    In addition to New York Times best sellers, Adam has published numerous books. Google them please and note the publish dates (many bloggers are posting that Adam hasn’t done anything in 10 years and has been living off of Laura. Not true.)

  • Sketto

    Notice that she doesn't deny gaining signatory power over his finances. Now why would any person ever need that? She's a fraud.

  • AuntiK

    If he felt she was a fraud, then it follows that was he perpetrating a fraud on the publishing houses when he provided her an introduction and helped her get an advance. Right? Maybe they should sue him?

    Except her books are bestsellers.

    Perhaps there's something to her work? Either way, he should probably work on earning his own money and then, you know, hiring someone to manage it if he can't do it himself rather than casting blame for his financial shortcomings.

  • blink

    How many different ways can one say "schmuck"?

  • schizofriendly

    Everybody has psychic power.

  • dr zippy

    Aren't all "psychics", by definition, frauds?

  • AnnaZed

    yes

  • Sketto

    I've met the guy. He's a brainy guy and clever with academic stuff, but not very skilled in the real-life stuff. And he's nice, which is bad news if you're with a psychic/fraud.

  • inoyourider

    A fool and his money are soon parted...

    Psychic girlfriend, my ass...just another manipulative whore.

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