Rodney's widow gets access to club books

NEW YORK, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- The widow of "I get no respect" comic Rodney Dangerfield has prevailed in her legal battle to have the books audited at his namesake New York nightclub.

The New York Post reported Saturday that Joan Child, Dangerfield's widow, filed a $2 million lawsuit against the club earlier this month, claiming that business partner Anthony Bevacqua had ceased making Dangerfield's 25-percent take payments shortly before he died and that he continued to ignore demands for an accounting of the club's finances.

Judicial Hearing Officer Ira Gammerman ordered that Child be granted "immediate access."

Child was pleased and said the ruling would send a "very clear message" that "we have a right to see the books and records and it's time to show Rodney some respect."

Dangerfield died in 2004 at the age of 82.