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Tony Bennett’s Daughters File Lawsuit Against Brother Over Estate Management
NEW YORK – A legal dispute has emerged within the family of legendary singer Tony Bennett as his daughters, Antonia and Johanna Bennett, have initiated a lawsuit against their brother, D’Andrea “Danny” Bennett. The legal action, filed in New York, alleges that Danny Bennett, who served as their father’s manager, improperly enriched himself at their expense, both before and after the acclaimed vocalist’s death in 2023. The daughters claim these actions were contrary to their father’s wishes regarding his estate and legacy.
Lawsuit Accuses Brother of Financial Misconduct
The lawsuit, submitted Monday, names Danny Bennett, who also heads the family trust, as the defendant. According to court documents, Antonia and Johanna Bennett contend that “Since Tony’s death, Johanna and Antonia have discovered that Danny exercised complete and unchecked control over Tony and his financial affairs prior to and following his death through multiple fiduciary and other roles of authority that Danny has abused, and continues to abuse, for his own significant financial gain.”
Allegations of Exploiting Singer’s Diminished Capacity
The legal filing further asserts that Danny Bennett capitalized on his father’s declining health due to Alzheimer’s disease in his later years. It alleges he orchestrated deals that generated substantial profits for himself and his company. These deals purportedly include the sale of Tony Bennett’s music catalog and rights to his name, image, and likeness to Iconoclast, a brand development firm, shortly before the iconic performer’s passing.
Expanding on Previous Legal Action
This new lawsuit intensifies a prior legal challenge initiated by the sisters in June. The initial suit sought an accounting of Tony Bennett’s assets and accused Danny Bennett of mismanagement. This latest action presents more serious and detailed accusations of misconduct and financial impropriety.
Brother’s Attorneys Previously Dismissed Claims
Attorneys representing Danny Bennett have not yet responded to requests for comment on this new lawsuit. However, in previous court filings related to the June lawsuit, Danny Bennett’s legal team dismissed the sisters’ claims as unfounded. They asserted that adequate financial accounting had been provided and emphasized that Tony Bennett had complete trust in Danny Bennett throughout his life. Furthermore, they stated that Tony Bennett credited his son with rescuing him from financial difficulties and revitalizing his celebrated career.
Danny Bennett’s Roles and Responsibilities
According to the lawsuit, Danny Bennett held significant positions in his father’s professional and financial life. He acted as Tony Bennett’s personal and professional manager with power of attorney, managed his company Benedetto Arts, and served as trustee of the family trust. These roles, the lawsuit implies, provided opportunities for the alleged financial impropriety.
Specific Accusations of Financial Misdeeds
The current lawsuit details accusations of “self-interested and conflicted transactions, excessive and unearned commissions,” and “substantial loans and gifts to himself and his children.” The daughters allege these actions diminished the estate’s assets, which, according to Tony Bennett’s will, were intended to be divided equally among his four children.
Other Family Members Named in Lawsuit
In addition to Danny Bennett, another brother, Daegal “Dae” Bennett, and Tony Bennett’s widow, Susan Bennett, are also named as defendants in the ongoing legal proceedings.
Sisters Question Estate Distribution
The lawsuit states that the sisters received a “single modest distribution” of $245,000 each. They contend this amount is “nowhere close to what they believe they are entitled to receive” from their father’s estate.
Allegations of Sentimental Items Mishandled
Adding to the family tension, the sisters further allege that Danny Bennett disposed of items of significant sentimental value to them. They claim this was done in a “malicious and retaliatory manner” following their initial attempts to obtain a financial accounting through the previous legal action.
Dispute Over Tony Bennett’s Piano
Specifically, Antonia Bennett claims that a piano, promised to her, was found in “terrible condition” during a limited visit to Tony Bennett’s apartment. The sisters also allege they were denied access to much of their father’s personal property during this visit.
Lawsuit Seeks Damages and Removal of Trustee
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages to be determined during a trial. Crucially, it also requests a judge to remove Danny Bennett from his position as head of the family trust, signifying a deep rift within the Bennett family over the management of Tony Bennett’s estate and legacy.
Tony Bennett: A Legacy of Music
Tony Bennett, an iconic figure renowned for his interpretations of classic American songs and creator of standards like “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” passed away in 2023 at the age of 96. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016. Throughout his illustrious career, Bennett released over 70 albums and garnered 19 Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, solidifying his place as a music legend.