Three animal rights groups are suing over a judge’s ruling that allows the trustees of Leona Helmley’s estate to use funds to beneft people, rather than animals. In February, a judge ordered that the trustees of the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust have sole discretion to decide which charities will receive funds from the trust. In April, the trustees gave $136 million to hospitals, foundations and the homeless. $1 million was donated to groups that benefit animals and train guide dogs for the blind.
The groups, the Humane Society of the United States, the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Aminals, and Maddie’s Fund, claim that the trustees are engaged in a scheme to deprive dog welfare charities from sharing in the funds of the Helmsley estate and acting against the wishes expressed in Helmsley’s will. The hotel heiress’ estate has been valued between $5 and $8 billion, with $12 million left in a trust for her Maltese dog named Trouble. A judge later reduced that trust amount to $2 million.
Source: http://www.breakinglegalnews.com/5599
Tags: animal rights, ASPCA, Helmsley
