SmashMouth

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson's decision in December to cut-off his heirs and move money out of a Texas trust fund gave a San Antonio judge legitimate reason to remove the 87-year-old from control over the fund, a Texas appeals court ruled Wednesday (Sept. 9).

For now, court-appointed receivers Phil Hardberger, former mayor of San Antonio, and Art Bayern, an estate lawyer, will remain in control of the fund, which owns stakes in Lone Star Capital Bank, San Antonio area car dealerships and real estate.

The assets are part of Benson's fortune at dispute in a family feud with his daughter, Renee Benson, and grandchildren Rita and Ryan LeBlanc.



Renee Benson, a beneficiary of the Texas trust, wants to permanently replace her father as trustee, arguing he has mismanaged assets and is in declining health. The receivers were picked by Bexar County Probate Judge Tom Rickhoff after a hearing in February.

Lawyers for Tom Benson argued that Rickhoff's removal of Benson amounted to an "abuse of discretion" in appealing the decision.

read more on NOLA

Attached Thumbnails