Latest news with #BenedettoArts
CBS News
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Tony Bennett's daughters file new lawsuit against their brother over the singer's estate
Tony Bennett 's two daughters have filed a new lawsuit against their brother, alleging he illegally enriched himself at their expense against their father's wishes both before and after the legendary singer's death in 2023 . Antonia and Johanna Bennett filed the lawsuit Monday in New York against D'Andrea "Danny" Bennett, who was their father's manager and heads their family trust. "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," the suit alleges. It says Danny Bennett took advantage of his father's diminished capacity late in life due to Alzheimer's disease to make deals to make millions for himself and his company, including the sale shortly before his death of Tony Bennett's catalog and his name, likeness and image rights to the brand development firm Iconoclast. The sisters previously sued their brother in June seeking an accounting of their father's assets, and alleging Danny Bennett had mishandled them. The new suit alleges he has breached his fiduciary duty and seeks to remove him as head of the family trust. "This lawsuit is yet another baseless attempt to distort the public and the court's understanding of Tony Bennett's clearly stated wishes," a spokesperson for Danny Bennett said in a statement. "Danny has followed his father's plans with integrity and care, and it is disappointing that those Tony supported throughout his life — and continues to support through his estate — are now challenging Danny's integrity with unsubstantiated and unfounded claims." Danny Bennett was his father's personal and professional manager with power of attorney, was manager of his company Benedetto Arts, and is the trustee of the family trust, the suit says. Danny Bennett came up with the idea for the late singer to hold two big concerts at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City with Lady Gaga, he told CBS News in 2022. They were his final performances. "The pandemic was a big ... it was a big thing for me. Like, ending his career on that note," Danny Bennett told "60 Minutes." "(It) couldn't end that way. After all that he did." The new lawsuit accuses Danny Bennett of benefiting from "self-interested and conflicted transactions, excessive and unearned commissions," and "substantial loans and gifts to himself and his children" that have diminished assets that Tony Bennett's will calls for his four children to split equally. Another brother, Daegal "Dae" Bennett, and Tony's widow, Susan Bennett, were also named as defendants in the lawsuit. Susan and Tony had been together for more than 30 years. She was also his full-time caregiver. The first lawsuit noted Daegal and Susan were named solely because of their capacity as a beneficiary of the Family Trust "in anticipation that one or more parties, or the Court, may deem her to be a necessary party to this action." The new suit says the sisters have received a "single modest distribution" of $245,000 apiece that is "nowhere close to what they believe they are entitled to receive." The sisters also allege their brother has gotten rid of items of great sentimental value to them in a "malicious and retaliatory manner" after their attempts to get an accounting through the previous lawsuit. Bennett's piano, which Antonia says was promised to her, was in "terrible condition" when they were allowed to see it in a tour of the singer's apartment, where they say they were denied access to much of his property, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit seeks damages to be determined at trial. Tony Bennett, a legendary interpreter of classic American songs who created new standards including "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," died in 2023 at age 96. There was no specific cause, but he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016. Bennett released more than 70 albums. The last was released with Lady Gaga in 2021 — after his Alzheimer's disease had already progressed. He won 19 Grammy Awards, including two for that album, and a Grammy lifetime achievement award. "Tony and Danny's record of unprecedented success speaks for itself," the defense statement said, "and Danny remains committed to honoring and preserving his father's memory and legacy."
The Independent
02-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Tony Bennett's daughters file new lawsuit against their brother over late father
Tony Bennett 's daughters have launched fresh legal action against their brother, claiming he improperly benefited financially at their expense, counter to their father's intentions. The lawsuit, filed Monday in New York by Antonia and Johanna Bennett, targets their brother, D'Andrea "Danny" Bennett, who managed their father's career and oversees the family trust. The sisters allege Danny Bennett's actions occurred both before and after the iconic singer's passing in 2023. '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," the suit alleges. It says Danny Bennett took advantage of his father's diminished capacity late in life due to Alzheimer's disease to make deals to make millions for himself and his company, including the sale shortly before his death of Tony Bennett 's catalog and his name, likeness and image rights to the brand development firm Iconoclast. The sisters previously sued their brother in June seeking an accounting of their father's assets and alleging Danny Bennett had mishandled them. The new suit alleges he has breached his fiduciary duty and seeks to remove him as head of the family trust. 'This lawsuit is yet another baseless attempt to distort the public and the court's understanding of Tony Bennett's clearly stated wishes," a spokesperson for Danny Bennett said in a statement. 'Danny has followed his father's plans with integrity and care, and it is disappointing that those Tony supported throughout his life — and continues to support through his estate — are now challenging Danny's integrity with unsubstantiated and unfounded claims." Danny Bennett was his father's personal and professional manager with power of attorney, was manager of his company Benedetto Arts, and is the trustee of the family trust, the suit says. The new lawsuit accuses him of benefiting from 'self-interested and conflicted transactions, excessive and unearned commissions,' and 'substantial loans and gifts to himself and his children" that have diminished assets that Tony Bennett's will calls for his four children to split equally. Another brother, Daegal 'Dae' Bennett, and Tony's widow, Susan Bennett, were also named as defendants in the lawsuit. The suit says the sisters have received a 'single modest distribution' of $245,000 apiece that is 'nowhere close to what they believe they are entitled to receive.' The sisters also allege their brother has gotten rid of items of great sentimental value to them in a 'malicious and retaliatory manner' after their attempts to get an accounting through the previous lawsuit. Bennett's piano, which Antonia says was promised to her, was in 'terrible condition' when they were allowed to see it in a tour of the singer's apartment, where they say they were denied access to much of his property. The lawsuit seeks damages to be determined at trial. Tony Bennett, a legendary interpreter of classic American songs who created new standards including 'I Left My Heart In San Francisco,' died in 2023 at age 96. There was no specific cause, but he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer 's in 2016. Bennett released more than 70 albums. He won 19 Grammy Awards and a Grammy lifetime achievement award. 'Tony and Danny's record of unprecedented success speaks for itself,' the defense statement said, 'and Danny remains committed to honoring and preserving his father's memory and legacy.'
The Independent
02-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Tony Bennett's daughters file new lawsuit against their brother over late father's estate
Tony Bennett 's two daughters have filed a new lawsuit against their brother, alleging he illegally enriched himself at their expense against their father's wishes both before and after the legendary singer's death in 2023. Antonia and Johanna Bennett filed the lawsuit Monday in New York against D'Andrea 'Danny' Bennett, who was their father's manager and heads their family trust. '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," the suit alleges. It says Danny Bennett took advantage of his father's diminished capacity late in life due to Alzheimer's disease to make deals to make millions for himself and his company, including the sale shortly before his death of Tony Bennett's catalog and his name, likeness and image rights to the brand development firm Iconoclast. The sisters previously sued their brother in June seeking an accounting of their father's assets and alleging Danny Bennett had mishandled them. The new suit alleges he has breached his fiduciary duty and seeks to remove him as head of the family trust. 'This lawsuit is yet another baseless attempt to distort the public and the court's understanding of Tony Bennett's clearly stated wishes," a spokesperson for Danny Bennett said in a statement. 'Danny has followed his father's plans with integrity and care, and it is disappointing that those Tony supported throughout his life — and continues to support through his estate — are now challenging Danny's integrity with unsubstantiated and unfounded claims." Danny Bennett was his father's personal and professional manager with power of attorney, was manager of his company Benedetto Arts, and is the trustee of the family trust, the suit says. The new lawsuit accuses him of benefiting from 'self-interested and conflicted transactions, excessive and unearned commissions,' and 'substantial loans and gifts to himself and his children" that have diminished assets that Tony Bennett's will calls for his four children to split equally. Another brother, Daegal 'Dae' Bennett, and Tony's widow, Susan Bennett, were also named as defendants in the lawsuit. The suit says the sisters have received a 'single modest distribution' of $245,000 apiece that is 'nowhere close to what they believe they are entitled to receive.' The sisters also allege their brother has gotten rid of items of great sentimental value to them in a 'malicious and retaliatory manner' after their attempts to get an accounting through the previous lawsuit. Bennett's piano, which Antonia says was promised to her, was in 'terrible condition' when they were allowed to see it in a tour of the singer's apartment, where they say they were denied access to much of his property. The lawsuit seeks damages to be determined at trial. Tony Bennett, a legendary interpreter of classic American songs who created new standards including 'I Left My Heart In San Francisco,' died in 2023 at age 96. There was no specific cause, but he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016. Bennett released more than 70 albums. He won 19 Grammy Awards and a Grammy lifetime achievement award. 'Tony and Danny's record of unprecedented success speaks for itself,' the defense statement said, 'and Danny remains committed to honoring and preserving his father's memory and legacy.'
Fox News
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Tony Bennett's daughters claim brother took advantage of their father for financial gain in new lawsuit
Tony Bennett's daughters filed a new lawsuit in New York, claiming their brother abused his power of fiduciary duty and other improper and unlawful conduct, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital. Antonia and Johanna Bennett claim in the lawsuit 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." Danny served as Tony's personal and professional manager with power of attorney. In addition, he managed the Benedetto Arts company, and served as the trustee of the family trust. "Danny executed lucrative commercial arrangements with, and benefits for, his own for-profit company, RPM Productions," the suit claimed. "Danny continues to act in these frequently conflicted capacities (other than as Tony's agent and personal manager, which roles terminated as of Tony's death), including on information and belief, for his continued personal financial benefit." Antonia and Johanna alleged that Danny used his position of authority to "enrich himself through self-interested and conflicted transactions, excessive and unearned commissions, and by making substantial loans and gifts to himself and his children." He allegedly diverted "substantial assets to himself and his family prior to Tony's death," which diminished both Tony's assets and assets to the family trust, according to documents. "By making substantial gifts and loans to himself and not in similar amounts, or at all, to other beneficiaries, Danny improperly used his fiduciary position for his own profit and personal benefit to the detriment of the other beneficiaries of the trust," the suit claimed. Danny allegedly orchestrated the sale of "substantially all of Tony's name, image, and likeness rights, the royalty stream in Tony's music, and other assets and tangible personal property to Ignite Music Fund," earning millions in commissions from the transaction. The suit claimed he personally continues to profit from the transaction, which includes the sale of memorabilia. Representatives for Danny did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Last summer, the sisters filed a lawsuit claiming Danny mishandled the "New York State of Mind" singer's assets. They claimed Danny did not properly account for all the proceeds from the sale of Tony's catalog to Iconoclast earlier in the year. "It remains unclear what music assets (and other property) were or were not sold as part of the deal" because Antonia and Johanna "have not been provided with various details of the transaction despite repeated requests," the filing stated. The information Danny had provided to his sisters only raised "more questions," they claimed. "Although Danny and his counsel have provided piecemeal information and produced some documents to petitioners' counsel, the information provided raises more questions than answers and fails to provide anything close to an accounting of Tony's assets and financial affairs," court docs said. Tony died at the age of 96, according to a post shared on the singer's Instagram page on July 21, 2023. "Tony left us today but he was still singing the other day at his piano and his last song was, 'Because of You,' his first #1 hit," the caption read. "Tony, because of you we have your songs in our heart forever."
NBC News
02-04-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Tony Bennett's daughters file new lawsuit against their brother over late father's estate
NEW YORK — Tony Bennett 's two daughters have filed a new lawsuit against their brother, alleging he illegally enriched himself at their expense against their father's wishes both before and after the legendary singer's death in 2023. Antonia and Johanna Bennett filed the lawsuit Monday in New York against D'Andrea 'Danny' Bennett, who was their father's manager and heads their family trust. '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,' the suit alleges. It says Danny Bennett took advantage of his father's diminished capacity late in life due to Alzheimer's disease to make deals to make millions for himself and his company, including the sale shortly before his death of Tony Bennett's catalog and his name, likeness and image rights to the brand development firm Iconoclast. The sisters previously sued their brother in June seeking an accounting of their father's assets and alleging Danny Bennett had mishandled them. The new suit makes more serious and more specific allegations of wrongdoing. Attorneys for Danny Bennett did not immediately respond to an after-hours email seeking comment. In court filings in the previous lawsuit, his attorneys said the sisters' claims were baseless, that they had been provided with sufficient accounting, and that Tony Bennett trusted Danny Bennett completely during his life and credited his son with pulling him out of financial troubles and reviving his career. Danny Bennett was his father's personal and professional manager with power of attorney, was manager of his company Benedetto Arts, and is the trustee of the family trust, the suit says. The new lawsuit accuses him of benefiting from 'self-interested and conflicted transactions, excessive and unearned commissions,' and 'substantial loans and gifts to himself and his children' that have diminished assets that Tony Bennett's will calls for his four children to split equally. Another brother, Daegal 'Dae' Bennett, and Tony's widow, Susan Bennett, were also named as defendants in the lawsuit. The suit says the sisters have received a 'single modest distribution' of $245,000 apiece that is 'nowhere close to what they believe they are entitled to receive.' The sisters also allege their brother has gotten rid of items of great sentimental value to them in a 'malicious and retaliatory manner' after their attempts to get an accounting through the previous lawsuit. Bennett's piano, which Antonia says was promised to her, was in 'terrible condition' when they were allowed to see it in a tour of the singer's apartment, where they say they were denied access to much of his property. The lawsuit seeks damages to be determined at trial, and for a judge to remove Danny Bennett as head of the family trust. Tony Bennett, a legendary interpreter of classic American songs who created new standards including 'I Left My Heart In San Francisco,' died in 2023 at age 96. There was no specific cause, but he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016.
