HARTFORD, Conn. — A brand new lawsuit has uncovered a deep rift between two of Paul Newman’s daughters and the late actor’s charitable basis funded by earnings from the Newman’s Own line of foods and drinks merchandise.
The daughters, Susan Kendall Newman and Nell Newman, allege Newman’s Own Foundation has improperly lower its mandated contributions to their very own charities from $400,000 apiece per 12 months to $200,000 every yearly.
They filed a lawsuit this week in state court docket in Stamford, Conn., looking for $1.6 million in damages to be donated to their foundations for charitable giving.
The daughters say their father, who began Newman’s Own Foundation three years earlier than he died in 2008, allowed the muse to make use of his title and likeness — however solely on a number of circumstances together with giving every of the 2 daughters’ foundations $400,000 a 12 months.
Susan Kendall Newman, who lives in Oregon, and Nell Newman, of California, fear the muse is setting the stage to fully take away them from having any say in how a number of the earnings from Newman’s Own merchandise are donated to charities. They additionally accused the muse of “contradicting” their father’s needs and intentions for years.
“No one should have to feel that the legacy of a departed loved one is being dishonored in the way that Newman’s Own Foundation has disregarded the daughters of Paul Newman,” Andy Lee, a New York City lawyer for the daughters, mentioned in a press release.
“This lawsuit does not seek personal compensation for Mr. Newman’s daughters, but simply seeks to hold (Newman’s Own Foundation) accountable to the charities they have shortchanged in recent years and would ensure they receive an increased level of support in the future, in line with Mr. Newman’s wishes,” he mentioned.
Newman’s Own Foundation has not but filed a response to the lawsuit in court docket however has launched a press release.
“Best practices surrounding philanthropic organizations do not allow for the establishment of perpetual funding allotments for anyone, including Nell and Susan Newman,” the assertion mentioned. “A meritless lawsuit based on this faulty wish would only divert money away from those who benefit from Paul Newman’s generosity.”
The basis added, “While we expect to continue to solicit Newman family recommendations for worthy organizations, our funding decisions are made each year and will continue to reflect the clear aim of Paul Newman and our responsibility to the best practices governing private foundations.”
Paul Newman, who lived in Westport along with his spouse, actor Joanne Woodward, created the Newman’s Own model in 1982, with all earnings going to charities. Today the product line contains frozen pizza, salsa, salad dressings and pasta sauces, in addition to pet food and pet treats.
In his will, Paul Newman left his property to his spouse and Newman’s Own Foundation.
Newman’s Own, the merchandise firm, is a subsidiary of Newman’s Own Foundation, a nonprofit group. The basis says greater than $570 million has been given to hundreds of charities since 1982.
According to 2020 tax data, the muse had greater than $24 million in earnings and paid out $11.5 million in contributions, presents and grants. Operating and administrative bills totaled practically $4.5 million.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”