Tony Bennett’s family appears headed for a legal battle, less than a year after the legendary singer died at the age of 96.
Bennett’s daughters Antonia Bennett and Johanna Bennett on Wednesday named their brothers D’Andrea “Danny” Bennett and Daegal “Dae” Bennett and the singer’s widow Susan Benedetto in a legal filing related to the singer’s estate, according to court documents reviewed by People.
Bennett’s daughters in legal documents asked the court to force Danny, Daegal and Susan Benedetto to list and transfer all of the late crooner’s property and assets so they could be assessed by the court, according to legal documents.
Danny worked as his late father’s manager and oversees the family trust in the role of trustee.
Antonia and Johanna told the court they are seeking ‘just damages’, claiming Danny failed to fully account for the totals in the sale of some of the rights to the late singer’s catalogue, name, image and similarity to the company Iconoclast in the past March.
Tony Bennett’s family appears headed for a legal battle, less than a year after the legendary singer died at the age of 96. The late singer was photographed with daughters Johanna and Antonia Bennett in New York in 2016.
The late singer’s widow, Susan Benedetto, pictured with him in New York in 2019, was also named in a filing on the singer’s estate.
Danny “obtained personal benefits for himself and his company” in the deals, Antonia and Johanna said in legal documents of the transactions, which also included the sale of some of Tony’s personal belongings and memorabilia.
Danny and his lawyers “have consistently failed and refused” to show the full details of the aforementioned transactions, Antonia and Johanna said in their filing, noting that they have a vested interest as beneficiaries.
Antonia and Johanna’s lawyers said in their filing that Danny and his legal team “provided fragmentary information and produced a number of documents” in the case, which fell short in clarifying the issues.
“The information provided raises more questions than answers and does not provide anything that comes close to an accounting of Tony’s assets and financial affairs,” Antonia and Johanna’s lawyers said in the official report.
Antonia and Johanna said they had “legitimate concerns” about the amounts of money the I Left My Heart In San Francisco artist left behind after his death through the family trust and the company Benedetto Arts, LLC, according to legal documents.
Antonia and Johanna are asking the court to order that all assets be “inventoried, accounted for and distributed in accordance with the express terms of the family trust,” according to legal documents.
They ask Danny to justify all totals with documentation regarding taxes, disbursements and related expenses, according to court documents.
The lawsuit centers on the division of property and assets resulting from the sale following the artist’s death last summer at the age of 96. Pictured in 2009
Bennett’s best-known songs include I Left My Heart In San Francisco and Rags to Riches. Pictured in New York in 2015
Iconoclast announced on March 19 that it had acquired significant portions of Bennett’s catalogue, name and likeness, although Sony Music said it remains the owner of the singer’s catalogue, according to Sony Music. Billboard.
Other aspects of the deal included Bennett brand efforts such as a New York City restaurant, a watch brand and a documentary on Paramount+ about Bennett’s work with Lady Gaga.
The company’s founder, Olivier Chastan, said in a statement at the time: ‘We are all following in the footsteps of giants. Tony was one of these giants.
“In addition to his extraordinary talent that radiated for more than 60 years, Tony’s legacy is one of character, integrity, kindness and courage. We are truly honored to be the custodians of this incredible and historic legend.”
Danny Bennett said at the time: “In the 40-plus years I worked with Tony, my philosophy was always that I was not managing a career, but rather managing a legacy. Iconoclast… will continue this tradition.”
Antonia Bennett and dad Tony were pictured at the Oscars in LA in February 2012
Bennett faced health problems in his last seven years, he revealed AARP in 2021 that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.
Benedetto told the outlet, “There’s a lot about him that I miss. Because he’s not the old Tony anymore… But when he sings, he’s the old Tony.”
She said the health problems had been kept quiet for years because Bennett “never wanted the public to know if he had a problem,” even though he liked to “say he wants to make people feel good.”
Benedetto said that at the time, the Rags to Riches artist “wasn’t always sure where he is or what’s going on around him.”