N.M. law firm sued over cruise liner

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - From running with the bulls in Spain to stargazing at the Cannes Film Festival in France and ringing in the new year in Australia, passengers aboard the Utopia are promised a front-row seat year-round to the biggest events on earth.

"You have an ocean-front property all over the world in every country," said Utopia Capt. Ola Harsheim.

The ship offers condos that run $3 million to $26 million as well as hotel rooms. It's marketed as a paradise on the high seas, but it's run aground in a bitter legal battle centered in Albuquerque.

According to Los Angeles businessman Donald Allen, before Utopia, it was the Oprhalese, a project he said he poured his life into.

"It was a complete dream," said Allen.

Allen said six years ago, a group of New Mexico investors agreed to front millions of dollars to help market the Orphalese.  The Albuquerque-based Rodey law firm was chosen to draft the legal papers.

"I was kicked out of the project as soon as the contracts were altered," said Allen.

The ship's name changed soon after, and, according to Allen, Rodey Law Firm even admitted to forging his name on contracts.

"The attorneys had in fact altered the documents and put my signature block on the altered set of documents," said Allen.

Now, he's suing the law firm for fraud and seeking damages totaling $240 million, according to court documents.

The Rodey Law Firm and those New Mexico investors did not return calls from KRQE News 13 asking for comment.

The Utopia is currently being built in Korea and should hit the high seas sometime next year.