Marvel co-creator and comics legend Stan Lee is in need of help. A new report by
The Hollywood Reporter reveals just how badly in need of assistance Lee is, as people close to him have reportedly conspired to seize Stan Lee's financial assets, and use his icon status for their own benefits.
The report opens by revealing a legal anecdote from back in February, when Lee reportedly visited his attorney Tom Lallas to draw up an official legal declaration:
The Feb. 13 document, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, begins with some background, explaining that Lee and his late wife had arranged a trust for their daughter because she had trouble supporting herself and often overspent... It goes on to describe how, when he and his daughter disagree — "which is often" — she "typically yells and screams at me and cries hysterically if I do not capitulate"...Lee explains that J.C. will, "from time to time," demand changes to her trust, including the transfer of properties into her name. He has resisted such changes, he states, because they "would greatly increase the likelihood of her greatest fear: that after my death, she will become homeless and destitute."
The declaration then explicates how three men with "bad intentions" — Jerardo "Jerry" Olivarez, Keya Morgan and J.C.'s attorney, Kirk Schenck — had improperly influenced his daughter, a woman with "very few adult friends." The document claims the trio has "insinuated themselves into relationships with J.C. for an ulterior motive and purpose": to take advantage of Lee and "gain control over my assets, property and money."
Stan Lee is estimated to be worth 50 to 70 million dollars. Just days after Lee had the declaration drawn up and noterized, he reportedly reversed course and changed his mind about it, resulting in Tom Lallas being dismissed as Lee's attorney, after an argument that resulted in the LAPD being called ot Lee's home.
The following is a quite disturbing account of Olivarez, Morgan, and Schenck (with help from J.C.) all working in unison to seize control of Lee's finances. It's said that the group either outright banished or pushed out some of Lee's longtime employees or associates, such as his longtime assistant Mike Kelly, and the housekeeper and gardener Lee had used for decades. It's further reported that a new accountant was brought in, as well as a "revolving door" of lawyers. Morgan is allegedly monitoring and writing Lee's emails, and changing his phone number.
Morgan maintains that he has done nothing wrong; he made a statement that him looking over Lee's correspondence was "his request, and he thanks me for helping him." He also reportedly responded to THR's report with a video of Lee discrediting the initial declaration he made with former attorney Tom Lallas:
In the video, an animated and robust Lee goes on to state that "my relationship with my daughter has never been better, and my friend Keya Morgan and I also have a great relationship … anybody who is saying anything [else] … is just spreading lies."
J.C.'s lawyer has been quick to defend his client, releasing a statement that claims, "the story isn't that J.C. is taking advantage of her father, but that she's potentially being taken advantage of by multiple men." Lee himself hasn't released any new statements.
This all adds to a ongoing saga of sad and/or worrisome situations Stan Lee has found himself in, since losing his wife Joan last year. Lee has had money, real estate, and even his own blood stolen from him (presumably from the same group of conspirators); in the fall, Lee was also accused of sexual misconduct by his live-in nurses, and he's started out 2018 battling serious illness like pneumonia.
What do you think about THR's report and the unfortunate current state of Lee's life?