Portion of Palimony Suit Against Boggs Is Dismissed

A Superior Court judge Friday dismissed a portion of the $12-million palimony suit by a Costa Mesa woman who is the former girlfriend of Wade Boggs, third baseman for the Boston Red Sox.

But Judge Eleanor Palk let stand the bulk of the suit that alleges Boggs broke an oral contract with Margo Adams, the woman who claims she had a 4-year affair with the athlete.

Adams’ suit, filed in Superior Court in Santa Ana, contends that Boggs promised to pay her for her services as a personal secretary and financial adviser during their relationship, which Boggs ended earlier this year.

Adams has said she met Boggs at a party in 1984 and soon began an intimate relationship with him. During the next 4 years, she said, she frequently traveled with him on baseball trips, aiding him in his personal and financial affairs while often socializing with members of the Red Sox and Boggs’ relatives.

Adams, 32, also claims Boggs inflicted emotional distress on her by telling the FBI she tried to extort money from him, which she denies.

Boggs’ attorney, Jennifer King of Tustin, said she has not decided yet whether to appeal the judge’s action or let the suit proceed, which means Boggs and several of his teammates will be called for depositions.

In addition to a deposition from Boggs, Adams’ attorney, James McGee of Irvine, said he plans to take depositions from teammates Mike Greenwell, Bob Stanley, Dwight Evans, Jeff Sellars and trainer Charlie Moss, all of whom allegedly knew of Boggs’ relationship with Adams.

McGee said he also intends to question Boggs’ wife, Deborah, who has been married to the ballplayer for 10 years and has two children with him.

Adams is seeking $1 million in damages as compensation for lost wages during the trips with Boggs and $11 million in punitive damages.

Adams is collaborating with a San Francisco free-lance writer on a book about the alleged affair.