Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez is being accused of frivolously spending tens of thousands of dollars that were supposed to support her young daughter. Now, there is a legal battle ensuing over who should be in charge of the funds.
The former fiancée of disgraced Patriots star Aaron Hernandez asked a court-appointed trust to pay $10,697 for dance lessons for the couple's daughter, Avielle. But the trustee, attorney David Schwartz, declined, the Boston Globe reports.
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Schwartz contends that Jenkins-Hernandez receives more than enough money — roughly $150,000 per year from Hernandez’s NFL pension and social security — to cover the daily expenses of Avielle, who’s 10 years old. Those funds are supposed to be spent for Avielle’s benefit.
But after reviewing Jenkins-Hernandez’s spending, Schwartz has come to suspect that she’s irresponsibly spending the money on luxury personal items. The bills include: $36,858 on clothing; $39,347 on home goods; $25,577 shopping online; and $11,792 in “self care,” including gym fees and visits to hair and nail salons.
“There is reason to question whether the expenditures were for Avielle’s benefit,” said attorney Robert O’Regan, who’s representing Schwartz. “To be fair, this little girl should have a decent life with what her father left for her. No one would complain if there were reasonable expenses. We’re talking about over the top or otherwise unrelated expenses to Avielle.”
Jenkins-Hernandez, who gave birth to a second daughter by another man in 2018, denied wrongdoing in a statement to the Globe.
“Since Aaron’s death, my sole focus has been on raising and providing as stable a life for my children as possible,” she said. “All monies I have spent have been with this singular focus in mind, and this will continue to be my focus going forward.”
Hernandez’s swift downfall was one of the most shocking stories in sports history. The ultra-talented tight end signed a five-year, $40 million extension with the Patriots in August 2012, only to be charged with first-degree murder the following summer. Hernandez was indicted, and ultimately convicted, for the killing of Odin Lloyd.
Hernandez found himself back in the court room in March 2017 standing trial for a double homicide that took place in June 2012 near the South End. He was acquitted of the murders, but killed himself in jail a couple of weeks after the verdict.
Later that year, researchers at Boston University who examined Hernandez’s brain said he suffered from the most severe case of CTE ever discovered in a person his age (27).
Jekins-Hernandez is Avielle’s conservator, a court appointment that allowed her to set up the trust fund that Schwartz oversees. The fund contains about $700,000. Avielle is eligible to receive the money when she turns 25.
O’Regan is now pushing for Jenkins-Hernandez to be removed as Avielle’s conservator. If that happens, a new conservator would receive Hernandez’s pension and social security checks, and decide how the money is allocated.