Mickey Rooney accuses stepson

Actor Mickey Rooney has accused his stepson and others of abusing him and stealing his income.

A lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court accuses the 90-year-old’s stepson Christopher Aber of elder abuse, fraud and other crimes.

The documents claim Mr Aber fraudulently took control of all Mr Rooney’s income, including his Social Security cheques, which typically amounted to $12,000 a month.

He is also accused of applying for and using credit cards in Rooney’s name to lead an extravagant lifestyle.

Mr Aber said the action was not being driven by Mr Rooney but by the actor’s conservators, who Mr Aber accuses of theft. He declined to comment further.

“While Chris instilled fear in Mickey and kept him in poverty, Chris took advantage of his unfettered access to Mickey’s income,” the filing said.

“Chris consistently paid himself a generous salary from Mickey’s earnings, took ‘advances’ on his salary, and spent Mickey’s money as if it were his own.”

The lawsuit also alleges Mr Aber bullied Mr Rooney into continuing to work by telling him he would lose his house and his medical benefits if he didn’t continue to earn an income.

Both Mr Rooney and his conservator Michael Augustine are named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, Mr Augustine’s services were sought by Rooney in February “to protect his person and estate from fraud ...”.