Helmsley Estate Donations Kind Of Shaft The Dogs

Wherever Leona Helmsley is now, we imagine she's throwing a fit. Even though the late, famously mean hotelier's will had a two-page mission statement outlining that her $5-8 billion estate go to the care and welfare of dogs, a judge ruled in February that the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Trust could give the money to other non-canine charities. The first round of donations, totaling $136 million, was announced today: $115 million to medical research (including $40 million to New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center for a digestive diseases center, $25-million to Mount Sinai Medical Center a electrophysiology center, and $10-million to Mount Sinai School of Medicine an inflammatory bowel disease center) while "just" $1 million went to ten animal-related charities (the ASPCA got $100,000). The trust said, "Throughout their lives, the Helmsleys were committed to helping others, through the innovations of medical research, responding to those in need during critical times and in other areas. We now have the privilege of continuing their good works by providing support where it will make a difference."

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By Jen Chung in News on April 21, 2009 5:21 PM

Comments [rss]

Kelev

How utterly sad that this woman's wishes are twisted by greedy people who now will fund the torture of the very dogs she wanted to help...consigning homeless, helpless dogs to legalized animal cruelty (research laboratories). Sure, she was no angel, but could have been an angel in death for millions of dogs who wait for homes, with no true shelter or refuge, but now....these loyal canines will be used as research tools. Disgusting and unjust.

NannyState

Leona just loved Electrophysiology. You can tell.

lookatthedumbpeople

Nice to see that a judge and some trustees think it's totally ok to completely disregard the woman's will. Another shameful result from our courts.

sowhtifithppnsitwll

Did a politician just pee on my leg?

Snoopy

She has a face even her mother wouldn't love.

Come to think of it perhaps she used her vet to do her makeup and that is the tie in to leaving all her money to pooches.

JenChungsBaby

Come to mother baby, let me hold you in my arms...

freddynyc

Again, I just stare at her pictures in disbelief...

Snoopy

Just look at Leona. You can tell she's not very happy with this change of events.

Jen Chung

I can understand her trustees wanting to spread the wealth, but it would seem truer to the spirit of her request if they donated a significant amount to animal-related causes.

Mr Mel

She was incompetent, no animal charity deserves that kind of money. I'm surprised PETA hasn't gotten involved, just as well. because they would use the money for sloths, raccoons, baboons, and all the other ugly species.

Kelev

You might also be surprised that PETA is not the only Animal Rights/Animal Welfare organization in the world. Without A.R. organizations - who knows what the likes of you would allow and support done to helpless dogs. You should visit one of the research labs and witness the terror, pain and crude undeserved murder of Mans Best Friend.....used as a research tool to help "the likes of you", uncaring, detached human being.

felixthecat2

I wouldn't be surprise they donate money to labs that test on dogs such as HLS that kills 500 animals a day including beagles for products such as splenda that makes us sick.

felixthecat2

AG Cuomo was behind this, all these greedy trustee and their friends wanted their hands on this money and now they took it away from the dogs. Cuomo wrote letters to the Judge to overturn Helmsely's wishes. very sad.