Court: lawyers can't be sued for fraud

Hartford, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut's second-highest court has ruled that ex-NFL player and investment firm founder Bob Simms can't sue his ex-wife's lawyers for alleged fraud in a long-running divorce and alimony case, saying the attorneys are protected by a doctrine called "absolute immunity."

Simms claims his former wife, Donna Simms, and her lawyers failed to disclose a nearly $360,000 inheritance she received in 2006 and 2008 during a legal fight over the amount of alimony Bob Simms pays. Donna Simms' lawyers deny the allegations.

The state Appellate Court ruled 2-1 decision Monday that Bob Simms can't sue the lawyers.

Bob Simms of Greenwich found Simms Capital Management Inc. and played for the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1960s. He says he plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court.