Brooke Astor

Brooke Astor was a New York socialite and philanthropist. Astor died on August 13, 2007, at the age of 105. In the months following Astor's death her son, Broadway producer Anthony Marshall, was charged with plundering her $198 million estate and trying to get her will changed naming him as the sole benefactor.FOX News: Late Socialite Brooke Astor's Son, His Attorney Indicted (November 27, 2007)

Frederick Hafetz, a defense attorney for Anthony Marshall, argued in court on April 28, 2009 that Mrs. Astor had initially intended to name Marshall as the sole benefactor in her will, but hadn't because she disliked her son's third wife. Hafetz claims that Astor began making amendments to her will in 2003 to leave her wealth to Marshall because "she loved him".Miami Herald: Defense: NYC socialite wanted son to inherit (April 28, 2009)

In November 2007, Anthony Marshall and his attorney, Francis Morrissey Jr., were indicted on a multitude of charges, including conspiracy, grand larceny and forgery. Jury selection in their criminal trial was expected to begin on February 23, 2009.CNN: Brooke Astor would have been 'mortified' by son's trial (February 18, 2009)

In 2006, Brooke Astor's grandson, Phillip Marshall, accused his father, Tony Award-winning producer Anthony "Tony" Marshall, of neglecting Mrs. Astor's care. The accusation prompted a criminal investigation which eventually led to Anthony Marshall's indictment on conspiracy and fraud charges.Biography.com: (Roberta) Brooke Astor Biography (1902 - 2007)

The criminal trial for Anthony Marshall and his attorney, Francis Morrissey Jr., was expected to begin on Monday, February 23, 2009.CNN: Brooke Astor would have been 'mortified' by son's trial (February 18, 2009)

• MSNBC: Brooke Astor's son accused of plundering estate (November 27, 2007)

• FOX News: Late Socialite Brooke Astor's Son, His Attorney Indicted (November 27, 2007)

• Muckety.com: Saying goodbye to a grande dame (August 16, 2007)

• The New York Times: Funeral A-List: New Version of Mrs. Astor's 400 (August 15, 2007)

• New York Sun: Astor Funeral Set for Friday at Saint Thomas Church (August 15, 2007)

• CNN: Iconic philanthropist Brooke Astor dies at 105 (August 13, 2007)

• ABC News: New York Socialite Astor Dies at 105 (August 13, 2007)

• New York Daily News: Brooke Astor dead (August 13, 2007)

• New York Post: [http://www.nypost.com/seven/08132007/news/regionalnews

• /brooke_astor_dies_regionalnews_dareh_gregorian.htm Brooke Astor Dies] (August 13, 2007)

• The New York Times: Brooke Astor...Dies at 105 (August 13, 2007)

• Gothamist: Grand Jury May Convene Over Brooke Astor's Estate (July 21, 2007)

• New York Magazine: The Family Astor (August 7, 2006)

• ABC News: Socialite Brooke Astor Abused by Son (July 27, 2006)