Taxation & Estate Planning

Brooke Astor Saga Reaches Conclusion

By Joel A. Schoenmeyer

I reviewed Meryl Gordon's book Mrs. Astor Regrets earlier this year (here) -- it was one of my favorite books I read in 2009.

The trial of Mrs. Astor's son, Anthony Marshall, is coming to a conclusion (barring appeals). Mr. Marshall was found guilty of "looting his mother's fortune" (another lawyer, Francis X. Morrissey Jr., was also found guilty) -- here is the story. I can't understand why the maximum sentence is only 3 years -- why is that? Because Mr. Marshall is rich? Ugh.

I'm also a little troubled by this line in the article:

The judge noted Marshall's World War II service and the possibility that the late Astor herself would have been aghast to see her son imprisoned, but he added that the law left him no choice but to impose a prison term.

1. Would Mrs. Astor REALLY have been aghast, in light of what her son did to her?

2. I realize that many people want to give members of The Greatest Generation a free pass (and unlimited free health care, free prescriptions, etc.) as a result of their actions in World War II, but I can't figure out why Mr. Marshall's heroics 60+ years ago have any bearing on this case.

Full post as published by Death and Taxes Blog on December 23, 2009 (boomark / email).