A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Keya Morgan, Stan Lee's former manager, on five accounts of elder abuse against the legendary Marvel comic creator. Lee passed away last year at the age of 95 from heart and respiratory failure. His passing was one that affected comic book fans the world over. He was adored for many reasons, but especially for his brief cameo spots in every Marvel movie. Thankfully, Marvel Studios was able to fit in one last cameo for him during Avengers: Endgame, serving as an emotional farewell for fans, friends, and family alike.
Prior to his death, Lee had been experiencing numerous health scares throughout 2018. At the beginning of the year, the comic creator was hospitalized due to an irregular heartbeat, followed not long after by an intense case of pneumonia. On top of the health scares, rumors had already been swirling about elder abuse against Lee. In April of 2018, a report was released that detailed the 95 year-old was being taken advantage of by memorabilia collector Keya Morgan; Lee's former publicist, Jerry Olivarez; Lee's former road manager, Max Anderson; and his own daughter, J.C. Lee. He was quick to deny the report, but now evidence has surfaced that is bringing the late Marvel legend back into the spotlight.
According to Reuters, Keya Morgan, Lee's former manager, was charged on Friday with five counts of elder abuse, including, "false imprisonment," and, "fraud and forgery stemming from an incident last summer when Lee was 95 years old." A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Superior Court public information office also added that, "a warrant for Morgan's arrest had been issued." Morgan was originally a memorabilia collector from New York who started working with Lee in 2017.
This isn't the first time that Morgan has gotten into legal trouble with Lee. His ex-business manager was handed a restraining order in July of 2018 on behalf of Lee. A month prior to the restraining order, Morgan claimed that armed men were demanding money from Lee at his home. The claim had turned out to be false, prompting Morgan's immediate arrest for filing the fake police report. At the time, many believed that Morgan was manipulating Lee in order to gain control of his estate. It's unfortunate to see that belief holds true.
It's heartening that justice is being brought to the creator, even after his passing. Though it's incredibly heartbreaking to think that there are some people who are willing to take advantage of kind people, like Lee, who just want to make the world a happier, brighter place. Stan Lee left a positive mark on the world with the heroes that he created and gifted to Marvel fans all over the world. It's a shame that, even in his old age, Lee trusted the characters he poured so much light and love into more than the people closest to him. This news is a good sign that, much like the Marvel stories he created, justice prevails over the villainous and greedy acts of others. His legacy is one that will live on for years to come.
Source: Reuters