Tony Bennett’s daughters, Antonia and Johanna, filed a lawsuit against their brother, Danny, over the handling of their father’s estate.
Bennett’s daughters filed documents in court on June 12, stating they are seeking “equitable relief,” and requested they be able to evaluate their father’s assets, according to People. They also named their brother Daegal, and their father’s widow, Susan Benedetto, as respondents in their filing. They’ve requested that all property and assets that once belonged to their late father be turned over and reassessed, according to People. They sued for an undisclosed amount.
Tony Bennett & daughters Joanna & Antonia during Sony Post Grammy Party at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, NY, United States. (Photo by Robin Platzer/FilmMagic) Getty Images
Antonia and Johanna alleged the proceeds from the sale of some of Tony’s assets to Iconoclast were not accounted for by Danny, who had acted as Tony Bennett’s manager and trustee of the Family Trust.
They claim that Danny “obtained personal benefits for himself and his company” during his time as Tony’s manager. Antonia and Johanna believe transactions were made on behalf of Tony, Benedetto Arts, LLC and the Family Trust, including the sale and consignment of Tony Bennett’s memorabilia and personal property, which were not declared or accounted for, according to People.
(Original Caption) Proud pop, singer Tony Bennett is all smiles as he poses with sons, Daegel (left), 23, and Danny, 24, after opening of “Neon,” a rock ‘n’ roll group the sons belong to, at a club in Manhattan 1/17. Getty Images
They alleged their brother and his legal team “have persistently failed and refused” to provide full disclosure and context regarding the sale of their father’s property and assets, in spite of knowing they have rights and interests and are also named as beneficiaries.
“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,” the filing said, according to People.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 27: Tony Bennett performs at Royal Albert Hall on June 27, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage) Getty Images
The court documents went on to state that Bennett’s daughters have “well-founded concerns” about their late father’s finances and assets involving FamilyTrust assets and Benedetto Arts, LLC, and noted they seek information on how the assets were handled during Bennett’s life and as well as after his passing.
They’ve demanded full disclosure on their father’s affairs and have requested that all properties and assets be “inventoried, accounted for, and distributed pursuant to the express terms of the Family Trust.” (RELATED: REPORT: Children Of Robbie Robertson File Lawsuit Against His Widow)
They’re requesting Danny turn over all principal, interest, receipts, disbursements, expenditures and tax returns so they may comb through the handling of their father’s affairs. Tony died in July 2023 at the age of 96 after battling Alzheimer’s disease since 2016.
