LAS VEGAS — Blues legend B.B. King — his health failing at age 89 — is in the middle of a tug of war between some of his children and his longtime manager.
Three of King’s 11 surviving children appeared in a Las Vegas courtroom Thursday in a bid to take control of their father’s affairs. Two said they suspect the musician’s manager of stealing his money and neglecting his medical care. All three complained they were blocked from seeing him in home hospice care.
But a judge tossed the dispute out of court, saying two investigations found no evidence King was being abused and that King’s longtime business manager, Laverne Toney, should remain in legal control of his affairs.
Toney and King’s lead attorney, Brent Bryson, deny the theft allegations. They say King’s children — including Karen Williams, Patty King, Rita Washington — can schedule visits as always.
King, who has diabetes, did not attend the court hearing.