“The dispute over Charles’ musical and financial legacy was the subject of an article in Sunday’s Los Angeles Times. The article reported that the rights to Charles’ music had become the subject of several lawsuits in state and federal courts. The litigation pits several of the children against Joe Adams, 86, Charles’ long-term manager, who after Charles’ death in 2004 ended up in control of Charles’ company, his foundation and the trusts set up for the children’s benefit.

Adams’ stewardship of the foundation, which Charles established as the Robinson Foundation for Hearing Disorders, came under the scrutiny of the California attorney general’s office in 2006. At the time, the office instructed Adams that his multiple roles at the charity, which he served simultaneously as chairman, president and treasurer, violated state law.”

Read: Ray Charles’ Estate Planning

The original LA Times article which started it all: “Ray Charles’ Children Battle Over His Legacy“

Filed under: Current Events