By STEPHEN THOMPSON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 9, 2008

CLEARWATER - Linda Bollea's divorce attorney released an exchange of letters Friday afternoon indicating the National Enquirer is poised to publish an article critical of her - and the attorney thinks her husband, former wrestler Hulk Hogan, is behind the effort to portray her in a bad light.

"The National Enquirer is preparing for publication an article discussing the Bollea marriage, specifically commenting on Mrs. Bollea's erratic behavior, her drinking habits and verbally abusive language directed at both her husband and her children," National Enquirer Senior Reporter John Blosser wrote Linda Bollea's Miami divorce attorney, A.J. Barranco Jr.

"The article further notes that they had, in fact, been separated for some time before the automobile accident involving their son Nick," Blosser wrote.

Blosser is referring to an accident in Clearwater in which Nick Bollea wrecked a Toyota Supra, critically injuring passenger John Graziano.

Nick Bollea faces a charge of reckless driving involving serious bodily injury in connection with the August wreck, and his case continues to wind through the judicial system. Linda Bollea filed for divorce from Hogan in November; that case, too, remains unresolved.

Blosser gave Linda Bollea until 5 p.m. Friday to comment. Instead, Barranco released Blosser's request and the attorney's reply. The Tampa Tribune was e-mailed both documents before Blosser's 5 p.m. deadline.

In the response, Barranco writes, "Mrs. Bollea has been a stay-at-home mom during the entire marriage. The children still live with her and enjoy a nurturing and loving relationship.

"While they were growing up, she was a room-mother and sports mom, balancing school activities as well as after-school activities such as soccer and hockey," Barranco writes.

He then attacks Bollea's husband, Hulk Hogan, who is also known as Terry Bollea.

"We strongly believe the husband has a very close relationship with the reporter Blosser and in the past has referred to him as 'my guy in the tabloids'; he carries Blosser's card in his wallet to this day," Barranco writes.

"Because of this, we don't believe your article will be fair and unbiased and will include untrue and inaccurate statements from the husband," Barranco writes.

"The husband repeatedly complained to Mrs. Bollea during the intact marriage about various alleged personal behaviors so she sought an evaluation of herself at the Betty Ford Clinic. They found no issues and she was sent home after less than one (1) week," Barranco writes.

"It is a shame her husband and his lawyer think they can use the same forceful tactics in the legal arena that he uses in the entertainment arena, but Mrs. Bollea will not play that game," Barranco writes.

"This is a case that will be resolved on the legal merits and true facts not on the 'he-man tactics.' This case will be tried in court and we shall see a 'smackdown'!!"

Efforts to reach Hogan's divorce attorney were unsuccessful.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or [email protected].