Huge claim against Brando estate

LOS ANGELES - Marlon Brando's former business manager has filed a $3.5-million (NZ$4.87m) claim against the late actor's estate, accusing the Oscar-winning "Godfather" star of sexual harassment and breach of contract.

The claim, filed on Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court and made public on Friday, says Brando "caused a hostile work environment due to his continuous acts of sexual harassment" toward Jo An Corrales during three years of employment.

The creditor's claim provides no further details of the harassment allegations, said Joel Pipes, a Newport Beach attorney representing Corrales.

If the claim is rejected by the estate's trustees, a lawsuit would be filed specifying the allegations, he said.

Corrales, a resident of Kalama, Washington, also claims Brando reneged on their contract by removing her as co-executor of his will just days before his death.

In addition to the fees she was entitled to receive as an executor, Corrales claims she was owed an estimated US$500,000 in unpaid commissions she earned on residuals she had recovered on his behalf. The filing says that under her contract with Brando, Corrales was paid US$5,000 a month plus 10 per cent of his residuals.

Corrales is one of numerous creditors who have filed claims against Brando's estate since probate, or the court-directed distribution, of his $21.6 million in assets began in August.

Among others is Air Moorea, a Tahitian-based charter airline seeking nearly US$500,000 in business costs for flying tourists to the Tahitian atoll he purchased in 1966, and a longtime friend seeking reimbursement for a diamond ring she lost down the drain of Brando's home in the Hollywood Hills.

The probate petition filed by Brando's estate named nine of his surviving children as beneficiaries of his will and provides support to two longtime friends.

Film producer Mike Medavoy, business manager Larry Dressler and friend Avra Douglas were named as executors of his will, which Brando made in August 2002 and updated in June this year, about two weeks before his death.

Brando, who won Oscars for his roles in "On the Waterfront" and "The Godfather," was 80 when he died. The lawyer overseeing Brando's estate could not immediately be reached for comment.

- REUTERS