LAS VEGAS – A dispute over B.B. King’s health and wealth was tossed out of court Thursday by a judge in Las Vegas who said two investigations found no evidence the blues legend was being abused.

The ruling in Clark County Family Court ruling keeps King’s longtime business manager, Laverne Toney, in legal control of his affairs.

Three of King’s 11 surviving children, Karen Williams, Rita Washington and Patty King, said outside court they suspect Toney is stealing money and neglecting B.B. King’s medical care while blocking them from seeing their father in home hospice care.

They vowed to keep fighting.

“We lost the battle, but we haven’t lost the war,” Williams vowed.

Toney and her attorney, Brent Bryson, deny the allegations and say visits can be scheduled just like they always have been.

King’s lawyer, Arthur Williams Jr., and King’s personal physician, Dr. Darin Brimhall, said outside court they have seen no neglect or abuse.

Family Court Hearing Master Jon Norheim said police and social services investigations in October and April uncovered no reason to take power-of-attorney from Toney. The reports won’t be made public, the judge said.

“There is no evidence of need for guardianship,” Norheim said. “Mr. King has counsel. I don’t have anything here that says he lacks capacity. He has some serious health issues. But he has counsel. If he feels like he’s being taken advantage of, he has remedies.”


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