$8 Billion vs $1 Million = Trustees Suck

In 2007, animal rights groups rejoiced at reports that deceased real estate baroness Leona Helmsley wanted her $6 to $8 Billion dollar estate to go exclusively to dog-related charities. However, a New York court ruled in February 2009 that the estate's trustees had sole authority to decide which charities would receive money.

Today Helmsley's trustees announced its first round of charitable grants -- $136 million to human health-care charities -- with just $1 million going to the dogs. Helmsley's trustees distributed that $1 million evenly ($100,000 each) to ten animal rights groups, including the ASPCA.

Previously in June 2008, Leona Helmsley's now 10 year old Maltese, "Trouble" (pictured above), had her $12 million dollar trust fund established under Helmsley's will, reduced by a Manhattan judge to only $2 million. The judge immediately gave the other $10 million from Trouble's trust fund to the charitable trust. If Trouble dies before she spends her $2 million, the remainder will also revert to the charitable trust.

Despite death threats against Trouble following the announcement of her $12 million trust fund, "Trouble is very much alive and well taken care of. [Trouble] is in this country and she's in a nice warm climate", according to a source close to Trouble.

Source: wcbstv