Tony Bennett’s children say brother took $2.6 million from trust: lawsuit

Tony Bennettwomen have accused their brother Danny of mismanagement the late singer‘ finance.

Antonia a Johanna claimed in January court documents obtained by People that they have “serious concerns” about the “mismanagement” of Danny’s role as trustee for the Bennett estate.

“Danny acted in multiple and conflicting fiduciary capacities for an extended period prior to Tony’s death and took (for himself and his children) substantial funds from the Family Trust,” court documents read. “Furthermore, as announced by Danny to various media outlets, at some point prior to Tony’s death, Tony entered a period of reduced capacity, meaning that Tony was no longer able to act as a co-trustee, leaving Danny to serve as the sole Trustee of the Family Trust without any supervision.”

According to Antonia and Johanna, their late father had a “clear intention and direction” that all four of his children would be treated equally. They seek Danny’s accounts from both before and after Bennett died in 2023.

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Antonia and Johanna named Danny in a legal motion in June 2024, claiming some assets were unaccounted for after Bennett died. The two women, as well as their brother Yes all beneficiaries of the 1994 Tony Bennett Family Trust, of which Danny is the sole trustee.

Danny has not publicly addressed his sisters’ new accusations, but he previously filed to transfer the trial to the surrogate’s court or dismiss it in November 2023. Antonia and Johanna are now asking the court denied his motion.

Bennett he died aged 96 in July 2023. He is survived by a woman Susan Benedict and his four children. Danny and Dae split with ex Patricia Beechas well as his two daughters with ex Sandra Grant.

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A year after Bennett’s death, Antonia and Johanna accused their sibling of misconduct. According to the filing obtained by people, the pair allege that Danny would allegedly write checks using trust money “as he saw fit” and made “multiple gifts to himself” totaling over $200,700. Antonia and Johanna also claimed Danny took $50,000 in advance in addition to commissions he earned as Bennett’s business manager.

The legendary jazz singer created the trust in 1994, naming his sons as co-trustees. The fund was reformed in 2008 where Dae was replaced as trustee with the singer himself.

Antonia and Johanna also named Dae and Benedetto as respondents in the lawsuit, claiming they avoided “accountability for Danny’s actions” because they previously claimed the sisters “lacked standing” to request an accounting for periods before Bennett’s death. Neither Dae nor Benedetto have publicly addressed the allegations.