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Richard Simmons’ personal assistant backed up his housekeeper, Teresa Muro, in her fight with the late entertainer’s brother over control of his millions, In Touch can exclusively report.
Michele Matz, who worked as Richard’s assistant from 2001 until he passed on July 13 at the age of 76, submitted a declaration as part of Teresa’s court battle with Leonard Simmons.
In the declaration, Michele explained that during her time working for Richard she would write emails for him while he dictated the contents.
As In Touch first reported, Teresa filed a petition claiming Leonard had her sign documents while she was grieving Richard’s death that gave up her right to serve as cotrustee of Richard’s estate with Leonard.
The paperwork put Leonard in full control of the estate. Teresa claimed she was “coerced and fraudulently induced to sign” the paperwork, her lawyer claimed.
This week, Teresa asked the court to temporarily suspend Leonard’s powers as the sole trustee of Richard’s estate until a decision is reached on her case.
Teresa’s filing read, “Richard Simmons would roll over in his grave if he knew what his brother Leonard has done since his tragic death on July 13, 2024.”
Teresa claimed Leonard had started working with Richard’s estranged manager to “pillage Richard’s assets and legacy.”
“During the final years of his life, Richard unequivocally cut ties with [the manager] because he was exploiting Richard’s celebrity without proper authorization and compensation. In fact, Richard stated that he ‘would rather die’ than participate in another project with him,” Teresa claimed.
Teresa said Richard had rejected an offer from the former manager to work on a documentary about Richard’s life before his death.
The housekeeper said Leonard recently allowed the former manager into Richard’s home with a film crew.
Now, in her declaration, Michele supported Teresa’s fight against Richard’s brother. She submitted a series of emails to show Richard was not a fan of the former manager. In an email dated May 20, 2021, Richard wrote from Michele’s email after receiving an offer for a documentary from his ex-manager.
He wrote to his accountant, “I don’t want a check from him. I don’t want him to do a documentary on me and I don’t want to ever hear his name again. He has ripped my life apart. I am sure he will do it without my permission. I want nothing from him. Don’t worry about writing me back nothing you can say will make me feel better. Do not accept that check. I am so upset I can hardly breathe.”
In another email from May 2021, Richard wrote, “I curse the day I turned everything over to [the manager]. Which you encouraged. Me to do. I would. Ever so another project with him. I would rather die. He owes me money for projects he sold and we will never get a dime of it. I have asked you to get me a list of how many products he has sole. We will never see it. He will keep selling products and you will never know about it. When people send me things to sign regarding the products I throw it in the trash. I have been so miserable about this for so long, but it falls on your deaf ears. He won and I lost. I will never ever get over this. I will never ask you about this again. Enjoy your day. Richard.”
At one point, the accountant told Richard, “I have fought to get you all the pension and social security money (and Medicare coverage) you are entitled to. This will allow you to live comfortable and never worry about paying your bills. Please read what [the manager] has written below with an open mind and consider the [redacted] offer for a documentary on your life. This too, will help you live financially worry free.”
In a January 10, 2023, email, Richard wrote, “I want [the former manager] to never ever make a dime off of me again. He has made money all these years. I am so sick and tired of talking about this. I want the store taken off the website immediately. Keep the website and let Darlene handle it. I don’t know what else to say … I am so frustrated and I am not making off of these products it doesn’t seem to bother you. Do you think this is fair. You have been my accountant for decades But it seems that [the former manager] is in control. I am so unhappy right now you immediately have to stop [the manager] from making money off me. This is going to give me a heart attack.”
On March 18, Richard wrote another email to his accountant asking, “What can I do to have [the manager] stop telling the media outlets that he represents me. Do I need to have an attorney take care of this? What are your thoughts?” Teresa hopes the emails will back up her claims in court.
In her complaint, filed on September 24, Teresa said she lived with the fitness guru for nearly 36 years and “cared for him and was his closest friend and devoted confidant.” Leonard has yet to respond to the suit.
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