Several of Ray Charles' children called today for an investigation of the management of the late entertainer's estate, including a charitable foundation he set up and a profit-making company that manages rights to his music.
There are "many unanswered questions," said Lisa Nkonoki, a spokeswoman for family members.
And there's more:
Shortly before Christmas 2002, Ray Charles called a meeting of his 12 children at a hotel near Los Angeles International Airport. Ten of them, ranging in age from 16 to 50 -- with 10 mothers among them -- listened as their father told them he was mortally ill and outlined what they could expect from his fortune.
Most of Charles' assets would be left to his charitable foundation. But $500,000 had been placed in trusts for each of the children to be paid out over the next five years, according to people at the meeting and a trust document.
They thought there'd be more, but evidently not.
_____
