By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-10-30 17:20:22 | Updated at 2024-10-31 03:36:52
10 hours ago
Richard Simmons's former housekeeper has accused his brother of defying the late fitness icon's wishes after his death as she seeks to suspend his powers as co-trustee of his estate.
In court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, Teresa Reveles Muro claims Lenny Simmons is colluding to 'pillage his assets and legacy' with Richard's former manager-turned-foe Michael Catalano.
The filings include a series of emails from Simmons to his accountant claiming Catalano has profited off his name and 'ripped his life apart.'
Muro, described in the filing as Simmons's 'best friend, confidant, and devoted companion' of 36 years, has been seeking to be re-named co-trustee of the estate after she was allegedly 'deceived' by Lenny into giving up the role in the wake of Richard's death in July.
Since then, Muro claims, Lenny has had 'unchecked control' over the trust and has defied his 'explicit instructions' by getting back into business with Catalano to 'exploit Richard's name and image'.
'[Richard] would roll over in his grave if he knew what his brother Leonard has done since his tragic death on July 13, 2024,' Muro's declaration states.
Richard Simmons' housekeeper of almost 40 years, Teresa Reveles Muro (pictured) claims she was pressured into relinquishing her role as a co-trustee of his estate
Muro has accused his brother Leonard 'Lenny' Simmons (left) of defying Richard's instructions by joining forces with estranged manager Michael Catalano (right) to exploit the late fitness icon's name
Muro pointed to a recent incident on October 17 when she claims Lenny had given Catalano and a film crew access to Richard's LA home in an apparent attempt to continue a media project he had previously opposed.
'I was surprised to see Mr. Catalano at the Residence because Richard told me many times that he had ended his professional and personal relationship with Mr. Catalano and no longer trusted him,' Muro states in her declaration.
'As of the time of his death, Richard had no relationship with Mr. Catalano and made clear to me that he wanted nothing to do with Mr. Catalano. Based on what he told me, Richard would have been very upset by Mr. Catalano's presence at the Residence.'
A chain of emails submitted in the filings show Simmons vehemently turned down Catalano's proposal to authorize a documentary film project on his life, saying he would 'rather die' than work with him again.
Speaking to his accountant Joel Levy on May 20, 2021, Simmons wrote: I curse the day i turned everything over to Michael. Which you encouraged. Me to do. I would [never] [do] another project with him. I would rather die. He owes me money for projects he sold and we will never get a dime of it. I have asked you to get me a list of how many products he has sol[d]. We will never see it. He will keep selling products and you will never k now about it.'
Simmons later doubled down on his desire to cut ties with Catalano, telling Levy: 'I don't want. A check from him. I don't want him to do a documentary on me and | don't want to ever hear his name Again.
'He has ripped my life apart. | am sure he will do it without my permission. I want nothing from him.'
Muro revealed Simmons's feud with Catalano began in 2021 and had continued as recently as March 18, 2024, when Richard threatened legal action against him over his 'unauthorized attempts' to claim to the media that he still represented him.
The court documents were filed along with a declaration from Simmons's former assistant Michele Matz supporting Muro's claims of Richard ending his relationship with his manager.
Emails submitted in the filings show Simmons vehemently turned down Catalano's proposal to authorize a documentary film project on his life, saying he would 'rather die' than work with him again
He reiterated his desire to cut Catalano from his affairs permanently in an email to his accountant Joel Levy in January 2023
Muro revealed Simmons's feud with Catalano had continued as recently as March 18, 2024, when Richard threatened legal action against him over his 'unauthorized attempts' to claim to the media that he still represented him
Additional emails seen by DailyMail.com show Simmons remained adamant about barring Catalano from his affairs in recent years and even in the months leading up to his death in July.
'I want Michael to never ever make a dime off of me again. He has made money all of these years I am so sick and tired of talking about this,' he said in a January 2023 email to Levy.
'You have been my accountant for decades. But it seems that Michael is in control. I am so unhappy right now you immediately have to stop Michael from making money off of me', he added.
Muro is asking the court to suspend Lenny's authority to sell or exploit Simmons's personal effects, name, image, likeness, or other intellectual property pending resolution of the appointment petition.
The latest filings follow her original petition in September to be named co-trustee of Simmons's estate, claiming Lenny had convinced her to turn down the role after his death.
Muro said that she 'was at her most vulnerable' at this time, according to the outlet, and that Leonard and his spouse took her to an attorney's office where she signed documents saying she would not be a trustee on Simmons' estate.
Muro is seeking to be re-named co-trustee of the estate claiming she was 'deceived' by Lenny (left) and his wife Cathy (right) into giving up the role in the wake of Richard's death
Muro found Simmons dead at the age of 76 in his Los Angeles home July 13
Muro told the court Leonard and his wife presented her with the documents under the premise that her inheritance could be voided if she didn't sign them, according to the outlet.
She claimed she was confused about what the documents stated at the time and was never explicitly informed or advised on the issue.
Muro told the court that she wanted to be named as a co-trustee; and requested the court block Leonard from selling any of Richard's possessions or property or making money off his image in commercial endeavors until the issue is settled by the court.
Authorities said that Simmons's death was as result of complications from a fall he suffered in his bathroom the evening before he died, and that heart disease also was a factor.
Simmons had fallen in the bathroom of his home on Friday, July 12 - which marked his 76th birthday - and Muro had attempted to persuade him to seek immediate medical help, but he declined because it was his birthday.
Simmons said he didn't want to go anywhere, informing her that he might go on July 13.
Muro helped him safely get back to his bedroom, where she found him the following morning on the floor at around 10am, according to the outlet.
