Published on Lawyer Monthly
January 16th, 2025
The legal dispute between Danny Bennett, the eldest son of Tony Bennett, and his sisters, Antonia and Johanna Bennett, has intensified in court.
Court documents reveal that 70-year-old Danny is contesting his sisters’ request for a detailed accounting of their father’s estate, particularly regarding the finances generated and spent during Tony’s lifetime. Danny argues that Tony’s will specified that all his possessions at the time of his death should be transferred into a trust. According to Danny’s attorney, “Tony viewed Danny as one of his most valuable assets.
He not only appointed Danny as a cotrustee but also entrusted him with the roles of personal and business manager.” Danny claims that his father acknowledged his role in revitalizing his career after a tumultuous period in the late 1970s, which included a serious cocaine overdose and financial troubles that led to the IRS seizing his Los Angeles home. He also mentioned that his father credited him with helping him achieve a comeback Grammy Award in 1995.
Tony’s eldest son mentioned that when his father could no longer tour, he took the initiative to negotiate a deal for selling Tony’s memorabilia, along with his music royalties and rights to his image and publicity, which they referred to as the ‘Iconoclast Deal.’ Danny explained that the “Iconoclast Deal” encompassed both a purchase price and a stream of income for a set duration from different projects.
In his motion, Danny said he has been “fully transparent” with his sisters regarding the details of the deal and “has provided them not only with the full agreement … but has provided them with detailed schedules reflecting income from the deal.”
Danny Bennett, serving as the sole trustee, is reportedly accused of not delivering a detailed account of the trust’s assets and of seeking personal benefits from his position. This ongoing legal matter in the New York Supreme Court also includes their other sibling, Daegal “Dae” Bennett, along with Tony Bennett’s widow, Susan Crow. The daughters are pursuing equitable relief and a comprehensive review of the trust’s financial situation by the Court.
This situation underscores the potential challenges and emotional distress that can emerge from estate disputes. Accurately assessing and documenting the value of estate assets and liabilities, along with ensuring transparency in the accounting process, is crucial for fostering trust and can significantly mitigate the risk of costly legal conflicts.
