Stan Lee Seeks Restraining Order Against Jailed Business Manager

The battle over who controls Stan Lee's personal and financial affairs has taken another dramatic turn.

The 95-year-old Marvel legend has obtained a temporary restraining order against Keya Morgan, the business manager and memorabilia dealer whom Lee publicly described just days ago as the only person authorized to represent him.

The order was requested after Morgan was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department on suspicion of filing a false police report. He was released after posting $20,000 bail.

Court documents supporting the restraining order accuse Morgan of isolating Lee from trusted friends and family members, taking control of his home and communications, and exerting undue influence over the elderly comic book creator. Los Angeles police are also investigating allegations of possible elder abuse.

The accusations have not been proven in court, and Morgan denies taking advantage of Lee.

Charley Gallay/Getty Images

Stan Lee Had Just Publicly Endorsed Keya Morgan

The restraining order represents a remarkable reversal from a video Lee posted on Twitter only a few days earlier.

In the video, Lee said Morgan was his sole business partner and representative:

"I just want to go on the record as saying I have only one partner, only one person that represents me, and that's Keya Morgan. Anybody else who claims to be my rep is just making that story up."

Lee added that he and Morgan were "working together and conquering the world side-by-side."

Morgan responded by thanking Lee and describing knowing him as one of the greatest honors of his life.

Four days later, an attorney acting on Lee's behalf obtained a restraining order requiring Morgan to remain away from Lee.

The abrupt change has intensified concerns about Lee's condition and about whether the statements he has issued over the past several months reflect his own wishes or the influence of whichever adviser happens to be closest to him at the time.

The Alleged False 911 Call

Morgan's arrest reportedly stems from an incident at Lee's Hollywood Hills home on May 30.

According to court filings, two Los Angeles police detectives and a social worker arrived at the residence to conduct a welfare check on Lee. Morgan allegedly appeared at the property but was prevented from entering by security personnel.

Morgan then allegedly called 911 and claimed that three unidentified people had entered the house, locked the doors and might be harming Lee.

The supposed intruders were reportedly the police detectives and social worker conducting the welfare check.

Morgan allegedly made another call claiming that one of Lee's security guards had assaulted him. Police later arrested Morgan on suspicion of filing a false report of an emergency.

Morgan has not been convicted of any crime related to the incident.

Claims That Morgan Isolated Stan Lee

The restraining-order request was filed by Tom Lallas, an attorney who has previously represented Lee.

According to the filing, Morgan began taking increasing control of Lee's personal and business affairs in February. The documents claim he took advantage of Lee's impaired hearing, vision and judgment and attempted to isolate him from people he had known and trusted for years.

Morgan allegedly instructed Lee's security guards to prevent certain relatives, friends and longtime associates from entering Lee's home. Family members also reportedly had difficulty reaching Lee by telephone.

The filing further alleges that Morgan moved Lee out of his longtime home and into a condominium, giving Morgan even greater control over who could see or communicate with him.

"Mr. Morgan's behavior, including, but not limited to, isolation and undue influence, places Mr. Lee's well-being at risk," the court documents state.

The papers describe Lee as having an estate worth more than $50 million, making him particularly vulnerable to people seeking control over his money, business arrangements and valuable name.

Keya Morgan Denies the Allegations

Morgan denies abusing, isolating or exploiting Lee.

He says he has cared for Lee for years, has maintained a close relationship with him and once helped save his life. Morgan has blamed the allegations on Lee's daughter, J.C. Lee, and attorneys aligned with her.

Morgan has characterized the dispute as a "witch hunt" motivated by resentment over his close relationship with Stan. He says he intends to prove that the allegations are false and has threatened legal action against those accusing him of misconduct.

The conflict is especially difficult to untangle because Lee himself has repeatedly praised Morgan in public.

Lee introduced Morgan as his business manager, appeared with him at the April premiere of "Avengers: Infinity War" and has released several videos defending him. Those statements appear to conflict directly with the allegations made in the restraining-order documents.

A Chaotic Struggle Over Stan Lee's Life and Fortune

The action against Morgan is only the latest dispute surrounding Lee since his wife, Joan, died in July 2017 after nearly 70 years of marriage.

Lee has been surrounded by competing advisers, attorneys, business partners, security guards and caregivers, many of whom have accused one another of manipulation and financial misconduct.

In April, Lee filed a separate lawsuit against former business manager Jerardo Olivarez. That case accuses Olivarez of transferring millions of dollars out of Lee's accounts, arranging unauthorized transactions and participating in a bizarre scheme involving Stan Lee's blood being used to create collectible comic books.

Lee has also threatened or filed legal actions involving the rights to his name and likeness. Meanwhile, people close to him continue fighting over who is authorized to manage his business and protect his interests.

The temporary restraining order bars Morgan from contacting or approaching Lee while the court considers whether longer-term protection is necessary. A hearing on a permanent order is expected in July.

For now, the allegations remain unresolved. But the speed with which Lee's public endorsement of Morgan was followed by an emergency court order underscores just how confused and contentious the struggle surrounding the Marvel icon has become.