Papa Joe wheels and deals Ashley - Pete nuptial snaps

By M&C People Apr 17, 2008, 16:53 GMT

Joe Simpson - © Glenn Harris / Photorazzi

Papa Joe Simpson is burning phone lines trying to secure a lucrative payday for his pregnant daughter Ashley, set to wed rocker Pete Wentz this May in California.

The tabloids have ratted out the "Dadager" of the two Simpson gals, and one magazine source finked to the New York Post's Page Six:

"Joe is contacting all the weeklies and asking them to pony up $1 million to put Ashlee on the cover."

News of Ashley's pregnancy sparked angry denials, then a rapid backing off by the parties involved.

"The deal would include photos of Ashlee - taken by Joe, of course, so he can make more money - an interview and photos of the baby when she has it," the Page Six snitch claims.

According to Page Six, Simpson is reaching too high in his expectations. "$60,000 maybe - but definitely not a million. The timing is a little suspicious. Her album ['Bittersweet World'] is dropping next week, and there was little to no interest until now. Ashlee's lucky she got pregnant, frankly."

The Page Six source, an editor, snorts: "Joe has an unrealistic expectation of what Ashlee can command."

According to OK! magazine, "They're planning on something in the Santa Barbara area probably by the end of May . . . Jessica will be the maid of honor."

Joe Simpson has blown a few key deals for his famous daughters. During Jessica's excursion to Africa (Operation Smile charity) he insisted on snapping (and selling) the photos of his daughter instead of a pro. 

Page Six reports other blown deals where Jessica's dad "undercut" his daughter and failed to negotiate optimal terms for subsequent layouts.