Sammy Davis Jr.’s widow sues

The widow of Sammy Davis Jr. is suing two former business partners over the rights to the Rat Pack entertainer’s life story and management of his legacy.

Altovise Davis says in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Dallas that the two men exaggerated their show-business credentials and defrauded her into signing away some rights to her husband’s estate.

The entertainer -- a fixture in Las Vegas with fellow Rat Pack members Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Joey Bishop -- died of throat cancer in 1990 at the age of 64. He owed more than $5 million to the Internal Revenue Service, forcing his widow to auction many of his personal belongings.

Altovise Davis says she gave her intellectual rights to Sammy Davis Jr. Enterprises Inc., formed in 2004 by Barrett LaRoda and Anthony Francis, in return for a one-third share in the business. She alleges the men hid the company’s financial records from her.

LaRoda and Francis didn’t immediately respond to calls seeking comment Monday. But in a court filing, they said Altovise Davis’ royalties more than quadrupled after she signed up with them and that their efforts helped rebuild her husband’s image.