Leonard Cohen's Manager Cleared of Financial Wrongdoing

Robert Kory, the manager of the late Canadian songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen, has been cleared of allegations of financial misconduct following a 10-day trial in probate court. The trial concluded with a ruling on March 23, where a court-appointed referee, retired judge Glen Reiser, determined that Kory had competently managed Cohen's estate after the artist's death in 2016 at the age of 82. The referee stated, “The disbursements made by Robert on behalf of the trust during the accounting periods were correct in amount and for proper purposes,” affirming that Kory's actions were reasonable and ethical.

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Cohen's children, Adam and Lorca Cohen, had accused Kory of "self-dealing" and overcharging the estate for various expenses, including $463 for Uber rides and $5,628 for Apple products. However, Reiser rejected these objections, emphasizing that Kory acted with the full knowledge and approval of both Adam and Lorca. The referee also criticized Adam Cohen for attempting to obstruct the sale of his father's music catalog to Hipgnosis, which ultimately resulted in a reduced offer due to delays caused by his actions.

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During the trial, Kory testified that Leonard Cohen had forewarned him about potential interference from Adam, likening his son to Hamlet, a prince burdened by his father's legacy. Kory recounted Cohen's concern that Adam might engage in metaphorical "patricide" to escape his father's shadow. Additionally, the referee found that Kory was not involved in any fraudulent activities regarding the trust documents, dismissing Adam's claims that Kory conspired with Cohen’s estate planner to secure his position as trustee.

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While the referee's findings will be submitted to a probate judge for final approval, Adam Cohen's attorney, Alex Weingarten, indicated that the legal battle is not over. Weingarten stated that objections would be filed, arguing that the referee exceeded his authority and misinterpreted key facts. He emphasized that the scope of the reference was limited to financial accounting, suggesting that the referee's conclusions should carry little weight.

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As the situation unfolds, Kory may seek to recover attorneys' fees, and the probate judge's final decision will determine the next steps in this ongoing dispute. The complexities surrounding the management of Leonard Cohen's estate continue to highlight the tensions between familial obligations and professional responsibilities in the wake of a high-profile artist's passing.

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