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A bitter family discord has emerged battle between Tony Bennett's children over the management of their late father's multimillion-dollar trust. Sisters Antonia and Johanna Bennett have escalated their accusations against brother Danny Bennett, claiming substantial financial mismanagement and self-dealing in his role as trustee.
In a January 3 court filing, the sisters allege Danny exploited his position to divert significant funds to himself while their father experienced diminished capacity. They claim he issued himself monthly advances of $50,000 starting in 2021, on top of his regular business management commission, without proper authorization until 2022.
"Danny acted in multiple, conflicting fiduciary capacities... and took significant funds from the Family Trust," the sisters' legal documents state. Their filing reveals Danny allegedly made "multiple gifts to himself" totaling $200,700 in 2022 alone.
A particularly contentious point centers around a 2022 deal where Danny facilitated selling Tony's assets to Iconoclast. While Danny claimed financial necessity drove the sale, his sisters counter that their father "still had millions of dollars" at the time. They further allege Danny's company, RPM Productions, received nearly $2.6 million in commissions while they each only received $245,000 from the trust.
The dispute stems from The Tony Bennett 1994 Family Trust, originally established with Danny and brother Dae as co-trustees. A 2008 amendment made Tony and Danny sole trustees, with all four Bennett children as beneficiaries. According to the sisters, their father "expressed a clear intention and direction in his estate plans that all four of his children be treated equally."
A source close to Danny defended his actions, telling The Post: "Tony and Danny Bennett have worked together for over 40 years, and the record of their successful partnership speaks for itself. Tony thoughtfully planned his estate to reflect his wishes and generously provided for his loved ones."
The sisters are demanding a full accounting of Danny's handling of their father's finances both before and after the legendary singer's death in July 2023 at age 96. They cite a "lack of transparency" and allege Danny operated without proper oversight after Tony's declining health left him unable to serve as co-trustee.
