Two people in charge of a portion of James Brown's estate quit their positions today (Nov. 20) amid ongoing questions over the late soul singer's finances.
The resignation of the trustees, who included a longtime adviser and close friend of Brown's, was announced during a court hearing shortly after David Cannon, a former trustee, was held in contempt.
Administrators looking into the handling of Brown's estate told the judge in September that Cannon, who stepped down as a trustee the month before, may have misappropriated up to $7 million.
The trustees who resigned today did not immediately offer an explanation. One left the courthouse and the other, longtime Brown adviser Buddy Dallas, went to meet with the judge who is attempting to unravel claims to the singer's assets.
Brown died last year in Atlanta on Christmas, throwing into turmoil the future of his trust, which is said to contain most of Brown's primary assets, including music rights and his 60-acre Beech Island home in South Carolina. Their total value is still unclear.
The singer's six adult children have been at odds with the trustees, claiming money has been mismanaged. And several people -- including some claiming to be Brown's unacknowledged children and at least two women who say they were married to him -- have come forward wanting a piece of his estate.
Today, Cannon was held in contempt for failing to pay $373,000 to the estate. He also did not provide adequate financial records and failed to comply with an order to stop being a trustee by filing amendments to tax returns after stepping down, Judge Jack Early said.
Cannon did not speak and had no reaction when he was held in contempt. His stepson was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs after he protested a call to examine his mother's finances.
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The resignation of the trustees, who included a longtime adviser and close friend of Brown's, was announced during a court hearing shortly after David Cannon, a former trustee, was held in contempt.
Administrators looking into the handling of Brown's estate told the judge in September that Cannon, who stepped down as a trustee the month before, may have misappropriated up to $7 million.
The trustees who resigned today did not immediately offer an explanation. One left the courthouse and the other, longtime Brown adviser Buddy Dallas, went to meet with the judge who is attempting to unravel claims to the singer's assets.
Brown died last year in Atlanta on Christmas, throwing into turmoil the future of his trust, which is said to contain most of Brown's primary assets, including music rights and his 60-acre Beech Island home in South Carolina. Their total value is still unclear.
The singer's six adult children have been at odds with the trustees, claiming money has been mismanaged. And several people -- including some claiming to be Brown's unacknowledged children and at least two women who say they were married to him -- have come forward wanting a piece of his estate.
Today, Cannon was held in contempt for failing to pay $373,000 to the estate. He also did not provide adequate financial records and failed to comply with an order to stop being a trustee by filing amendments to tax returns after stepping down, Judge Jack Early said.
Cannon did not speak and had no reaction when he was held in contempt. His stepson was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs after he protested a call to examine his mother's finances.
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Comments