NEW YORK — The son of philanthropist Brooke Astor was accused Tuesday of plundering his mother’s $198 million estate and conspiring to have the Alz heimer’s-stricken socialite sign a new will leaving her fortune to him.
Anthony Marshall, an 83-year-old Broadway producer, was charged in an indictment unsealed Tuesday and pleaded not guilty at an arraignment. His former attorney, Francis X. Morrissey Jr., was indicted on similar allegations.
Astor, known for decades as the grande dame of New York society and philanthropy, gave away nearly $200 million to institutions such as the New York Public Library, Carnegie Hall and other causes. She died in August at age 105.
Marshall and Morrissey “took advantage of Mrs. Astor’s diminished mental capacity in a scheme to defraud her and others out of millions of dollars,” District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said.
As early as 2001, Astor’s doctors had told Marshall that his mother suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, that her ability to understand complex issues was limited, and that her condition would worsen, Morgenthau said.
Three years later, the prosecutor said, Marshall and Morrissey had Astor’s attorney fired and had her sign a new will that left Marshall virtually everything.
Morrissey also is charged with participating in the forgery of Astor’s signature on that will, Morgenthau said. He didn’t explain how the signature was forged.
Marshall’s current lawyer, Kenneth Warner, said in a statement that he and his client are confident Marshall will be exonerated.
“Tony Marshall faithfully and effectively managed his mother’s affairs for more than 25 years, increasing the value of her investments from $19 million to $82 million,” Warner said. “Brooke Astor loved Tony, her only child, and whatever he received was in accordance with her wishes.”
Marshall was released and ordered to appear at his next court hearing on Jan. 30.
Marshall’s son, Philip, prompted the criminal investigation last year after he accused his father of neglecting Astor’s care and stealing her money.
