Posted on May 14, 2007

print  e-mail

Settlement of Disputed Bequest Means Millions for Greenpeace

A case filed by the Salvation Army against Greenpeace over a multimillion-dollar estate left by a resident of Issaquah, Washington, is expected to be dismissed shortly by the King County court, the Seattle Times reports.

The dispute involved the $264 million estate of H. Guy Di Stefano, whose late wife had inherited a fortune from an early manager of United Parcel Service. Di Stefano, who died last summer at the age of 90, bequeathed the fortune equally to eight charities, including the Salvation Army and Greenpeace. However, his will stipulated that one-eighth of his estate ($33 million) should go to Greenpeace International, which existed when the will was written in 1991 but was absorbed into the Greenpeace Fund seven months before Di Stefano died.

Of the eight charities named as beneficiaries, only the Salvation Army challenged the will, arguing that since the Greenpeace Fund isn't the same organization named in the will, the organization should forfeit the money. Greenpeace, in turn, argued that under Washington law the court should look at the intent of the will and honor the bequest, the largest in the organization's history. According to Greenpeace attorney Tom Wetterer, other bequests made to Greenpeace International over the past few years proceeded smoothly. While the order to dismiss the lawsuit has not yet been signed by the court, Wetterer said Greenpeace expects to receive $27 million.

"The case involved disputed issues of estate and trust law," the Salvation Army said in a statement. "The parties fully believed in the positions they advanced and the matter has been resolved by a settlement agreed to by all the parties."

Gilmore, Susan. “Dispute Settled; Greenpeace Will Get Portion of Huge Estate.” Seattle Times 5/09/07.

“Charities Squabbling Over $33 Million Estate Gift From UPS heir.” Seattle Times 3/21/07.

Primary Subject: Philanthropy and Voluntarism
Secondary Subject(s): Human Services, Environment
Location(s): Issaquah, Washington, Washington, DC

FC010449