The legal feud over Richard Simmons’ estate is heating up, and this time, his former housekeeper, Teresa Reveles, is hitting back. In a shocking twist, Reveles has accused Richard’s younger brother, Leonard Simmons, of mismanaging the late fitness icon’s Trust—alleging he withdrew a six-figure sum without proper authorization.
This comes after Leonard previously accused Teresa of stealing Richard’s jewelry and personal belongings after his passing. Now, the battle for control over the estate is turning into a high-stakes showdown.
Housekeeper Claims Richard’s Brother Is Acting Without Her Approval
Teresa Reveles, who was appointed interim co-trustee of Richard’s Trust, claims Leonard has been making key financial decisions behind her back—going directly against a court order. According to her attorney, Leonard is withholding crucial documents regarding the administration of the Trust and deliberately ignoring legal obligations.
Adding fuel to the fire, court filings suggest that Leonard is using Trust funds for personal legal battles, draining resources instead of distributing them to Richard’s rightful beneficiaries. The filing states:
“Leonard is depleting Trust resources to fund a personal vendetta against Teresa, refusing even the most modest distributions to Richard’s beneficiaries.”
Reveles insists that Leonard is prioritizing his own interests, attempting to push her out despite Richard’s clear wishes.
Lavish Spending & Allegations of Financial Mismanagement
According to Teresa, Leonard has spent staggering amounts from Richard’s estate, including:
- $566,654 on legal fees—primarily to remove her from the Trust.
- $277,200 for 24/7 armed security at Richard’s residence.
- A total of $843,854 spent since Richard’s passing, with no distributions to beneficiaries.
Shockingly, Leonard reportedly received a multimillion-dollar insurance payout after Richard’s death but still refuses to allocate any funds to others named in the Trust. Teresa is now seeking court intervention to hold Leonard accountable.
The Explosive Jewelry Theft Accusations
Leonard’s initial claims against Teresa accused her of stealing valuable jewelry, art pieces, and personal memorabilia—including song lyrics Richard wrote for a Broadway play. He argues that her failure to return these items violates the “no contest” clause in Richard’s will, which could potentially strip her of any inheritance.
However, Teresa firmly denies the accusations, stating that Richard gifted her the jewelry years before he finalized his Trust in 2012. She maintains she has no claim over any other valuables in dispute.