http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localn...josecol_1017.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=76
'Mr. Madam' grilled in Wall Streeter's death
By Jose Lambiet
Palm Beach Post Columnist
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
The aftermath of last month's death in Jupiter of CNBC commentator and Wall Street big Seth Tobias has taken a bizarre turn.
Billy Ash, a former Lauderdale-based gay pimp who called himself "Mr. Madam," has become a key figure in the continuing police investigation into the death and the battle for Tobias' millions.
And then there's "Tiger." That's the stage name of the go-go dancer at the WPB gay hangout Cupids who was supposed to be deposed in the probate fight.
What's going on here?
Neither Tobias' widow, Filomena, nor her four â Count 'em! four â high-profile lawyers, including ex-husband Jay Jacknin, are talking.
But Ash, now based in San Diego, is.
He told Page Two that Jupiter PD Detectives Danielle Hirsch and Brent Hoosac spent two days grilling him at home in late September.
Ash â who was arrested at least 11 times in South Florida from 1983 through 1997 for prostitution, bouncing checks and staying in a hotel without paying, according to law enforcement records â says he was the Tobiases' personal assistant for two years.
He quit shortly after hedge-fund whiz Tobias, 44, was found floating in the pool of his $3 million home at the Bears Club. Ash e-mailed what appears to be a pay stub showing he received a $3,000 payment from Filomena on Sept. 2, two days before the death.
"I have intimate knowledge about the inner workings of the couple. I booked their travels, made sure they made appointments on time, watched after their many houses," Ash said, acknowledging that he has "a past" and that it didn't disturb the Tobiases when he was hired.
He said he didn't witness the death and was flying home when it occurred.
Jupiter PD has yet to classify Tobias' death, and a spokesman for the medical examiner said toxicology tests are still pending.
"At this point, this is just a death investigation," said JPD spokesman Scott Pascarella. "We did fly to San Diego to interview Mr. Ash. We have the obligation to investigate all information presented to us."
The fight for Tobias' $25 million-plus fortune, meanwhile, is really getting out there, too.
Filomena â Seth's wife of two years, against whom he filed for divorce, then had the case closed â is duking it out in a West Palm Beach court with Tobias' four brothers. They are in his will and Filomena isn't, but she claims to be the sole heir.
Ash is scheduled to be deposed in that case Monday in his home city. Tiger the stripper was supposed to be deposed in West Palm on Oct. 4, according to court records.
In another development Filomena, 41, who once claimed in court documents that she needs nearly $46,000 a month to live, is selling Tobias' homes here. Two in WPB's east side are going for a total $3.6 million, and the Bears Club mansion where the death occurred may soon go up for $6 million.
