Brown Estate Trustee Repays Funds, Departs

Aug 13, 11:52 AM

Current Headlines: The battle over the estate of U.S. soul singer James Brown became more muddled after a trustee quit, admitting he mishandled $350,000 in funds.

David Cannon said he repaid the money, but resigned last week as an executor of Brown's will, the New York Daily News reported Monday. The case is scheduled to continue next month as Brown's children and relatives argue who should inherit his estate.

One of Brown's grandchildren, Forlando Brown, accused his aunts and uncles of trying to break the will and an irrevocable trust to receive an inheritance. Brown's will covered the disposition of personal assets, such as clothing, cars and jewelry; his irrevocable trust covered disposition of music rights, business assets of James Brown Enterprises and Brown's Beech Island estate in South Carolina.

Brown died Christmas Day. He was buried in March after a three-month battle between relatives and friends, including a former backup singer who says he fathered her child.