Tosh's Grammy Pawned - Family still at odds over estate
Published:Tuesday | August 9, 2016 | 12:00 AMShereita Grizzle
The relationship among family members of late reggae icon Peter Tosh might have taken a turn for the worse.
The Gleaner has learnt that the Grammy Award won by the singer in 1987 and one of his famous guitars are now in the possession of a pawn shop owner in Somerville, Massachusetts, after being sold by a close relative.
According to news obtained from TMZ.com, the family member walked into the shop owned by Dylan McDermitt, some five months ago, wanting to do away with the iconic pieces belonging to Tosh.
In an interview with TMZ, McDermitt revealed that he purchased the Grammy from the relative - whom he refused to name - for US$4,000 and the guitar for US$2,000.
McDermitt is now looking to cash in on his most recent transaction, as he believes the items now in his possession are worth up to US$20,000.
He told TMZ that he is looking to earn US$15,000 from the sale of the guitar and US$20,000 from the sale of the Grammy.
Though he was hesitant in revealing who the seller was, McDermitt revealed that the transaction stemmed from an ongoing dispute between family members over the late singer's estate.
COURT CASE
News first broke in December 2014 that members of the Tosh family were at odds over his estate. In a suit filed in October 2014, Aldrina McIntosh, one of Tosh's daughters, claimed that her younger sister, Niambe McIntosh, had been holding back from her and her eight other siblings.
Tosh, who was murdered back in 1987, died without leaving a will, and as such, his estate had been managed by a court-appointed lawyer until 2009 when Niambe took charge.
In the suit, Aldrina claims that neither she nor her other siblings have received any money from Niambe in more than five years.
The estate of the famed singer, who was part of the world-renowned reggae group, The Wailers, reportedly rakes in between US$150,000 and US$300,000 annually, according to court documents. It is believed that this money is to be split evenly among the 10 siblings each year.
Aldrina believes that her younger sister is hiding some US$1.7 million more in funds and wants her and her other siblings to get their share.
When the story broke in 2014, it was reported that the siblings were in contact with each other and were supposedly working things out. However, in light of this new development, the problem doesn't seem to be close to a resolution.