Astor Gift to Son’s Charity Is Questioned

The legitimacy of the Shepherd Community Foundation, in New York, has been questioned by the family and friends of the New York society doyenne and philanthropist Brooke Astor. Ms. Astor donated $100,000 last year to the organization, which appears to be operated out of the home of Anthony Marshall, Ms. Astor’s son, The New York Times reports.

The Shepherd fund was incorporated in 2002 and told the Internal Revenue Service that it would raise money for charity work, with an emphasis on religious faith. However, the foundation does not appear to have made any public mailings to solicit contributions, and the New York attorney general’s office said the organization has not registered with the state’s charities bureau, even though it would have been obligated to do so after receiving the donation from Ms. Astor.

The questions come amid a lawsuit filed by Philip Marshall, Mr. Marshall’s son and Ms. Astor’s grandson, accusing his father of neglecting to care properly for Ms. Astor, while using her money to enrich himself. Anthony Marshall has denied the charges. A lawyer for Anthony Marshall said the Shepherd fund had distributed $35,000 of Ms. Astor’s gift so far.