Brook Astor Update

Earlier on this blog, I discussed an ongoing criminal investigation which put on hold the Surrogates Court proceedings concerning Brook Astor’s estate.

Here are some of the most recent developments on this story from Serge F. Kovaleski, Brooke Astor’s Son and Lawyer Face Criminal Charges, NYTimes.com, Nov. 27, 2007:

Brooke Astor’s son and one of her former lawyers have been indicted on criminal charges stemming from the stewardship of her financial affairs and the handling of her will[.]***

Her son, Anthony D. Marshall, 83, and the lawyer, Francis X. Morrissey Jr., have been told to surrender to authorities on Tuesday morning[.]*** A Manhattan grand jury has been hearing evidence from witnesses since early last month, following an investigation by the district attorney’s office into the management of Mrs. Astor’s fortune by Mr. Marshall and Mr. Morrissey’s role in the signing of the third amendment to her will.***

The possibility of forgery has been raised by a nationally known handwriting expert.***

JPMorgan Chase & Company, the court-appointed guardian of Mrs. Astor’s assets, raised questions about her mental competency in 2003. That was the year she signed documents transferring $3.4 million of her securities and her estate in Maine, which was valued at $5.5 million, to Mr. Marshall.