It’s a split that feels almost insulting for an estate that built a name on standards like 'I Left My Heart in San Francisco.' Antonia and Johanna Bennett say they each got a single check for $245,000. Meanwhile, their brother Danny, who held power of attorney and managed Benedetto Arts, allegedly pocketed millions in commissions. The sisters are calling it a breach of fiduciary duty. They want Danny removed as trustee and the numbers re-counted.
The timing is the real kicker here. Tony Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016. By 2023, when he died at 96, the sisters claim Danny was steering the ship while the captain was fading. The lawsuit highlights a specific deal with Iconoclast for his music catalogue and image rights, struck shortly before his death. They argue this wasn't just bad timing; it was a mechanism to siphon value out of the estate before the final bill came due.
But it’s not just about the money. There’s a visceral layer to this that makes it feel personal. Antonia claimed her father’s piano was in terrible condition when they were finally allowed to see his apartment. The sisters allege they were locked out of sentimental items and that Danny disposed of things in a 'malicious' way after they started asking for financial records. It’s a textbook trust dispute, but the smell of betrayal is thick.
Danny’s side paints a completely different picture. A spokesperson said he followed his father’s plans with 'integrity and care,' calling the new suit another attempt to misrepresent Tony’s wishes. They point to a 'record of unprecedented success' together. But in court, success doesn't excuse self-interested transactions if the fiduciary duty was broken.
The next move is up to the judge. The sisters are seeking damages to be determined at trial, which means we’re looking at a forensic audit of a 96-year-old man’s final decade. If the allegations about the Iconoclast deal hold water, this could reshape how estates of aging celebrities are managed in New York.