American singer Tony Bennett's daughters say they received only $245,000 each from his estate; they are accusing their brother of taking millions through commissions and trust transactions

The daughters of late American singer Tony Bennett say they received just $245,000 each from their father’s estate, accusing their brother, D’Andrea “Danny” Bennett, of taking millions through excessive commissions, financial deals and trust transactions. Antonia and Johanna Bennett allege that their brother used his control over their father’s finances to enrich himself before and after the singer’s death in 2023. In a lawsuit filed in New York, the sisters also question the sale of their father’s music catalogue and image rights shortly before his death. They are seeking damages and Danny’s removal as head of the family trust.How did Danny Bennett allegedly misuse his father’s estateAccording to the lawsuit, Danny Bennett exercised control over Tony Bennett’s financial affairs both before and after his death through several positions of authority. These included serving as his personal and professional manager, holding power of attorney, managing his company Benedetto Arts and acting as trustee of the family trust.The sisters allege that their brother breached his fiduciary duties through what the lawsuit describes as “self-interested and conflicted transactions, excessive and unearned commissions”. They also accuse him of arranging substantial loans and gifts for himself and his children. According to the filing, these transactions reduced the assets available for distribution under their father’s will.What does the lawsuit allege about Tony’s Alzheimer’s and financesAccording to AP news, the lawsuit also alleges that Danny Bennett took advantage of his father’s diminished capacity in the later stages of his life due to Alzheimer’s disease. The sisters claim he arranged financial deals that generated millions of dollars for himself and his company.One of the transactions highlighted in the lawsuit involved the sale of Tony Bennett’s music catalogue, along with the rights to his name, likeness and image. The deal with brand development firm Iconoclast took place shortly before the singer’s death, according to the filing. The sisters allege that the transaction was among the arrangements through which their brother financially benefited.Antonia and Johanna say they have received a “single modest distribution” of $245,000 each from the estate. They argue that the amount is “nowhere close” to what they believe they are entitled to under their father’s will, which provides for his four children to share his assets equally. The lawsuit seeks damages, with the amount to be determined at trial.What does the lawsuit allege about Tony Bennett’s belongingsThe latest legal action follows a lawsuit the sisters filed against their brother in June 2024, seeking an accounting of their father’s assets and raising concerns about how the estate had been managed. The new complaint goes further, accusing Danny Bennett of breaching his fiduciary responsibilities and seeking his removal as trustee of the family trust.The sisters have also accused their brother of disposing of belongings with significant sentimental value to them in what they describe as a malicious and retaliatory manner. The complaint says their attempts to obtain financial information through the earlier lawsuit were followed by disputes over access to their father’s possessions. Antonia Bennett also claimed that a piano her father had promised her was in terrible condition when the sisters were eventually allowed to tour his apartment. They alleged that they were denied access to much of the property.How has Danny Bennett responded to his sisters’ allegationsDanny Bennett has rejected the accusations through a spokesperson, describing the latest lawsuit as another attempt to misrepresent their father’s wishes. The statement said: “Danny has followed his father’s plans with integrity and care,” adding that the allegations against him were unsubstantiated.The spokesperson also maintained that Tony and Danny Bennett had a record of unprecedented success together and said Danny remained committed to preserving his father’s memory and legacy. Tony Bennett died in 2023 at the age of 96. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, although no specific cause of death was given.Tony Bennett was one of the most recognised interpreters of classic American songs, best known for recordings including I Left My Heart in San Francisco. During his career, he released more than 70 albums, won 19 Grammy Awards and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The legal dispute between his daughters and brother concerns the management and distribution of the singer’s estate following his death.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.