Estate of Sammy Davis, Jr.

Although singer and performer Sammy Davis, Jr. died in 1990, his estate is still in turmoil.

The following details are from AP, Lawyer struggles to restore Sammy Davis Jr.’s legacy, CNN.com, Sept. 15, 2008:

• Attorney Albert “Sonny” Murray, Jr. was hired by Sammy’s widow (Altovise Davis) to help resolve Sammy’s $7 million tax debt to the IRS.
• Sonny settled the debt with the IRS in 1997.
• Sonny was instrumental in getting Sammy awarded a lifetime achievement award at the 2001 Grammys.
• Thereafter, Sonny and Altovise’s relationship deteriorated.
• Altovise has sued two former business partners in federal court asserting that they fraudulently convinced her to release her rights to Sammy’s estate.  The suit is pending.
• Matt Birkbeck has authored a book entitled Deconstructing Sammy: Music, Money, Madness, and the Mob which details Sonny’s efforts.

Special thanks to Sara Hudman (J.D. 2008, Texas Tech University School of Law) and David S. Luber (Attorney at law, Florida Probate Attorney Wills and Estates Law Firm) for bringing this situation to my attention.