Law Com relays this story of an attorney-executor who had control of an estate’s charitible contributions, and is now being sued for his selection of where to give away the money.

"A Pittsburgh no-kill animal shelter has filed a five-count lawsuit against a Pittsburgh attorney, alleging that he illegally reduced its portion of a wealthy widow’s multimillion-dollar estate.

Animal Friends Inc. claims in the lawsuit, filed in the court of common pleas, that Gregory Harbaugh of Houston Harbaugh abused his power-of-attorney status and diverted $1.2 million from four charitable organizations to three other charitable organizations with which he or his wife has financial ties.

The suit claims that Harbaugh secured power-of-attorney status in a questionable circumstance against Rita Conrady, whose "physical and mental condition made her an easy prey."

The suit also contends that Harbaugh breached his fiduciary obligations to both Conrady and to the originally named beneficiaries. The other counts in the complaint are breach of contract, intentional interference with an inter vivos trust, and fraud in the inducement. "