Brooke Astor's son denies neglect claims

NEW YORK, July 28 (UPI) -- The son of 104-year-old New York socialite and philanthropist Brooke Astor has denied claims that he has neglected and mistreated his aging mother.

Anthony Marshall, whose son Phillip Marshall has launched legal action claiming Marshall failed to fill Astor's prescriptions, reduced her staff, took away the artwork displayed in her apartment and took other steps to reduce the woman's comfort, said he was hurt that his son had not discussed his concerns before filing the court action, The New York Times reported Friday.

"I am shocked and deeply hurt by the allegations against me," Anthony Marshall, 82, said. "I love my mother, and no one cares more about her than I do. Her well-being, her comfort and her dignity mean everything to me."

College professor Phillip Marshall's lawsuit against his father, a former diplomat and Broadway producer.