Robert Kory, manager of the late Leonard Cohen, has been exonerated of claims of financial misconduct in handling the songwriter’s estate. A court-appointed referee ruled on March 23 that Kory acted reasonably and ethically. The decision followed a 10-day trial in probate court.
Leonard Cohen, the Canadian songwriter who died in 2016 at age 82, left his estate in the care of Robert Kory as trustee. Cohen’s children, Adam and Lorca, accused Kory of self-dealing and overcharging the estate for expenses such as $463 in Uber charges, $688 for an AT&T phone bill, $5,628 for Apple products, and $2,000 for Canadian immigration fees. Retired judge Glen Reiser, the court-appointed referee, rejected all objections in his March 23 ruling, stating that Kory’s disbursements were correct and conducted with the children’s knowledge and approval. Reiser wrote, “The Referee finds that each of Robert’s challenged actions were at all times reasonable and ethical.”
