Frank McCourt files papers in support of his sole ownership of Dodgers

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Frank McCourt filed papers Tuesday saying Jamie McCourt’s allegations that he had her fraudulently sign away her share of the Dodgers was “offensive, flatly wrong, and not supported by a shred of evidence.”

Exhibit A, as filed in the version of the agreement signed by her in Massachusetts on March 31, 2004, and signed by Frank in California on April 14, 2004, provided Frank with “all securities and securities accounts currently listed solely in Frank’s name exclusive of the following,” and specifically listed “within this exclusion ... all assets of the Los Angeles Dodgers ... and 276 acres of land located in Chavez Ravine.”

The Exhibit A upon which Frank relies, signed by both parties in Massachusetts on March 31, 2004, uses the word “inclusive” rather than “exclusive” and “including without limitation” rather than “within this exclusion.”

Jamie McCourt has asked the court to throw out the agreement on the basis of the discrepancy, which likely would result in the Dodgers being considered community property.

Frank McCourt argues the discrepancy simply reflects a drafting error that was later corrected to reflect the interest of both sides in protecting the couple’s homes from creditors should the business assets falter.

He argues that the Exhibit A upon which Jamie relies would have exposed virtually all of the McCourt business assets to creditors by virtue of the “exclusive” rather than “inclusive” wording and would have left him with “nothing of substance as his personal property except at least $119 million in personal liabilities,” according to his attorney, Steve Susman.

“The difference between the Exhibit A’s is much ado about nothing,” Frank’s lawyers wrote.

The trial to determine who owns the Dodgers is set to start Monday.

[For the record, 1:26 p.m.: An earlier version of this post incorrectly said Jamie McCourt had submitted documents to the court Tuesday that verified her claim that ex-husband Frank “fraudulently altered” the agreement that he says provides him with sole ownership of the Dodgers. In fact, Frank McCourt filed papers in support of his sole ownership of the Dodgers.]

-- Bill Shaikin