Richard Simmons' Housekeeper Ripped Him Off For $1 Million?

Leonard Simmons, the brother of late fitness icon Richard Simmons, has fought over his brother’s estate in the past. Now, it’s been alleged that Richard’s housekeeper, Teresa Muro, took around one million dollars in jewelry and fine art. This is one of many claims made against Leonard and Muro in the ongoing legal battle.

Leonard’s Motion Responded To Filings Made Against Him

Richard was known as a television personality and fitness guru, especially through this television show The Richard Simmons Show. He passed away at the age of 76 on July 13, 2024.

Since Richard’s death, there had been controversy over his death. His brother Leonard and his housekeeper Teresa Muro have battled over control over his estate.

Teresa Muro - Facebook — Teresa Muro – Facebook

According to In Touch, Leonard asked a court to shut down a recent petition filed by Muro. In the filing, made with the Los Angeles Superior Court, she claimed she was initially named a co-trustee of the estate. However, she also claimed Leonard had her sign away this position while she was in mourning.

Muro’s lawyer has also shared the following statement: “Teresa was overwhelmed by Richard’s sudden death just a few days earlier, the morning’s events at the funeral home and Leonard’s unexpected scare tactics. Moreover, English is not Teresa’s first language.”

In addition, Muro claims that Leonard refused to restore her as a co-trustee after confronting him. This week saw Muro call for an emergency hearing to address the issue.

The motion read, “During the final years of his life, Richard unequivocally cut ties with [the manager] because he was exploiting Richard’s celebrity without proper authorization and compensation. In fact, Richard stated that he ‘would rather die’ than participate in another project with him.” She also claimed that Leonard had planned to sell some of his brother’s property.

Allegations Have Been Made Over Richard Simmons’ Jewels & Fine Art

Muro’s lawyer added, “Moreover, it appears that Leonard is actively preparing to dispose of numerous of Richard’s personal effects.” It was also claimed Leonard had “a real estate agent” avaible for marketing the house. “Leonard is thus likely also making arrangements to imminently sell, donate, or otherwise dispose of Richard’s personal effects without Teresa’s input, as was envisioned by Richard in the Trust.”

However, Leonard has filed a response to these allegations. As the motion read, “Since voluntarily declining to serve as Co-Trustee, Teresa has demonstrated strong animosity towards Leonard, for reasons that he does not understand, and having the two of them serve as Co-Trustees would be counter-productive and almost certainly lead to the appointment of a corporate trustee.”

Richard Simmons-YouTube — Richard Simmons – YouTube

It was this motion that made the claim about the jewelry. As it read, Muro allegedly “took almost $1 million of Richard’s jewelry and other valuable pieces of fine art, which she has refused to return.”

It was also claimed “she had a room in Richard’s house that she refused to vacate after his death,” despite owning her own home. At this time, Muro has not responded to the motion’s allegations in court.

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