Stern's children win legacy case

World famous violinist Isaac Stern died in 2001

The children of late violinist Isaac Stern have won their case against a man they accused of squandering their father's legacy.

William Moorhead III, who acted as executor to Stern's estate, was ordered by a judge in the US to pay back more than $500,000 (£263,660).

Mr Moorhead was told that a payment he awarded himself from the legacy was "outrageous, improper and unjustified".

Musical instruments left by Stern to his children were also sold off.

'Intolerable'

Probate court judge Martin Landgrebe said that Mr Moorhead's decision to exclude Stern's $3m (£1.58m) New York flat from the estate had been wrong.

He added that the sale of personal items had caused his children "incalculable personal loss".

The possessions were sold to settle Stern's debts - a move his children say would not have been necessary had his property's value been taken into account.

Here there were irreplaceable things. They were this man's musical legacy Mark Schwartz, Stern children's lawyer

Mr Moorhead paid himself $313,000 (£165,100) while he was managing the violinist's estate, and spent an additional $250,000 (£131,870) on the flat.

A maid service, internet access and various telephone lines were among the benefits he purchased with money left in Stern's will.

His children's lawyer Mark Schwartz called Mr Moorhead's behaviour "intolerable" and said the legacy had been "squandered".

"Here there were irreplaceable things. They were this man's musical legacy," he added, in reference to the instruments which were sold.

Stern died in 2001 at the age of 81. He was living in Connecticut but still had a home in New York.

The virtuoso violinist was one of the most respected musicians of the 20th century and was credited with the discovery of Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma.