Richard Simmons’ longtime housekeeper and close confidant accused his brother of spending a massive six-figure sum from the late fitness guru’s trust, In Touch can exclusively report.
According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Teresa Reveles claimed Richard’s brother, Leonard Simmons, defied the court’s previous order appointing her interim co-trustee of Richard’s trust.
Teresa claimed Leonard made decisions without her approval and refused to turn over requested documents regarding the administration of the trust.
Her lawyer wrote, “Leonard has defied the Court’s Order and done everything he can to frustrate Teresa’s ability to serve as Successor Co-Trustee, all while trying to create a dishonest record which seeks to blame Teresa for purported non-cooperation and for purportedly contributing to the Trust’s failings.”
Teresa’s lawyer continued, “To make matters worse, Leonard is using the Trust resources to fund his personal vendetta against Teresa, and has depleted the resources to the point where he has refused to make or even consider the most modest and/or partial distributions to Richard’s beneficiaries.”
Her attorney said, “Rather than simply work with Teresa and administer the trust by unanimous decision, Leonard has spent an inordinate amount of Trust resources fighting her earnest attempt to be appointed to a position that Richard wanted her to have.”
Teresa accused Leonard of spending $566,654 in litigation costs directed at getting rid of her and keeping her in the dark with the trust administration.
She claimed a portion of those fees were paid without her approval despite her being interim co-trustee.
In her filing, Teresa claimed Leonard spent an additional $277,200 on “round-the-clock, armed security” at Richard’s home.
“Between the two, Leonard has spent more than $843,854 since Richard’s death,” Teresa’s lawyer said. “Yet, Leonard is not willing to pay even one penny to the beneficiaries, who, unlike Leonard, did not pocket a multimillion-dollar insurance policy upon Richard’s death.”
Three other longtime employees of Richard are listed as beneficiaries along with Teresa, Leonard and others. Teresa asked the judge to force Leonard to comply with the court order.
Richard died on July 13, 2024, at the age of 76. His will instructed Leonard and Teresa to work as co-trustees to manage his trust.
Teresa claimed that Leonard had her sign paperwork, while grieving and not in the right state of mind, that relinquished her right to serve as co-trustee.
The paperwork allowed Leonard to be the sole trustee. Teresa filed a lawsuit to undo the change and to be appointed back in her role.
Recently, the judge ruled Teresa and Leonard have to work together until a final decision is reached on Teresa’s petition to be reappointed. For the past couple of months, the two have been going back and forth about Richard’s property.
Leonard claimed Teresa took a bunch of jewelry and fine art when she “finally did leave” his L.A. home. He also claimed that song lyrics Richard wrote for a Broadway play were missing along with other valuable personal items.
Teresa scoffed at the allegations. She told the court, “Richard was incredibly generous and gave away his collectibles, possessions, and other lavish gifts to many people.”
Teresa said the items were given to her. She said any jewelry she had was gifted to her by Richard during the Thanksgiving holiday in 2014.
In a declaration, Teresa claimed, “Richard came downstairs to the kitchen of the Residence with several pieces of jewelry and put them on the kitchen table.
Richard placed a pink diamond ring on my finger and told me he was giving it to me. I was shocked but accepted this generous gift.”
She continued, “Later that day, at around dinner time, Richard told me that he was giving me all the rest of the Gifted Jewelry on the kitchen table, saying that he would not wear it again and wanted me to have it. I thanked Richard for his generous gifts and took all the Gifted Jewelry that Richard gave me to my room where I kept it until I left the Residence on September 26, 2024.”
Teresa said she did not have Richard’s song lyrics. She did admit to taking three of Richard’s workout pants after his death that were to be donated.
“I took these shorts to remember my nearly 36 years with Richard,” she said.
She added, “I would like to keep the three pairs of striped shorts to remember Richard by, but will turn them over to the Trust if requested. I do not have or know the whereabouts of any other ‘exercise clothes’ that Leonard claims are missing.”
The case is ongoing.
