Vicki Ueberroth Booth Seeks Control Over Family Trust
Vicki Ueberroth Booth, the daughter of former Major League Baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth, has initiated legal proceedings in Southern California to take control of her family’s trust. She claims that millions of dollars have been mismanaged or wasted over the past two years as her parents, Peter and Virginia, have experienced cognitive decline.
Background of Peter Ueberroth
At 88, Peter Ueberroth is known for pioneering the first privately financed Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984, a move that significantly commercialized the event. He later became MLB commissioner, a role he held until 1989.
Allegations Against Trustee
As Ueberroth and his wife, 86, faced health issues, Booth claims they were taken advantage of by family friend and attorney Michael McKee, who became the family trust’s trustee in April 2024. McKee, 80, is also the chairman of the TGR Foundation, associated with golfer Tiger Woods. Booth’s court filing accuses McKee of failing to act as a neutral fiduciary, prioritizing his interests over those of the trust’s beneficiaries.
Pursuit of Legal Action
The petition calls for McKee’s removal as trustee, demands transparency through record turnover, and asks for restitution for alleged mismanagement of funds. Booth asserts that from 2022 onwards, her parents were unable to manage complex financial transactions due to their declining health, leading to Peter’s diagnosis of moderate dementia in March 2024.
Mismanagement Allegations
According to the filing, McKee allegedly concealed the use of Peter’s signature during periods of incapacitation and allowed associates to alter banking access, including redirecting $2 million to an unrelated charity without proper authorization. Booth noticed the transaction contradicted her parents’ established philanthropic practices and successfully redirected the funds to a different charity.
Concerns Regarding Trust Management
Booth’s petition criticizes McKee for not intervening in the actions of associates who purportedly tried to isolate Peter and pressured him regarding his caregiving. It also questions the operations of Contrarian, Ueberroth’s private equity firm, alleging it incurs excessive costs, including nearly $1 million in expenses over 15 months.
Notable Heritage and Legacy
As Los Angeles prepares to host the Summer Olympics again in two years, it reflects on Peter Ueberroth’s significant contributions. Born in 1937, he became an influential figure in the travel industry before leading MLB, addressing player drug testing and generating television revenue, while also being involved in notable collusion grievances that ensued after his departure.
