Brittany Murphy’s widower, Simon Monjack, has been under fire for a charity benefit to launch the “Brittany Murphy Foundation.” The foundation’s website says that it’s “dedicated to arts education for children.” It sounds well intentioned on the surface, but Monjack, who has been sued multiple times for bad debts and business deals gone wrong, is asking for a $1,000 donation from individuals and a $10,000 donation from organizations to attend. That could be customary for a charity event, but coupled with Monjack’s history it all looks suspicious. The last we heard from this guy he was bragging about the millions worth of luxury goods he bought Murphy and claiming that the house they were living in was in his name despite the fact that most outlets had Murphy listed as the owner. When asked why a former business partner called him a conman, Monjack said he was jealous. He also announced plans to sue Warner Brothers for Brittany’s death based on his claim that they fired her from the Happy Feet sequel two weeks before she died.

The event, scheduled for tomorrow night, has been either canceled or postponed. I would bet that it was because of lack of interest. There probably aren’t many people willing to shell out $1,000 to a man with Monjack’s reputation:

Brittany Murphy’s husband has suddenly called off the fundraising party he was throwing in her honor tomorrow night — but the man who pulled the plug isn’t saying why.

Simon Monjack had planned a huge launch party Thursday night for his new Brittany Murphy Foundation — an organization he claims is dedicated to arts education for children. Monjack had been reportedly soliciting $1,000 donations per person to attend.

But just days before the big night, someone called the Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts — where the event was supposed to go down — and told the Rabbi to hold the Manischewitz… because the party was off.

We’re told Monjack insists the party was simply postponed — but so far, no new date has been set.

[From TMZ]

Monjack sure set up that “charity” quickly after Murphy died. I wouldn’t trust that guy as far as I could throw him. He is still a grieving widower and I doubt he had a hand in her death. Given the way he’s behaved after his wife’s death I would assume that a lot of the stories we heard about him while she was alive were true, though.