Bodog Beat

Leona Helmsley's spoiled pooch, Trouble, has had his trust fund reduced. (AP Images)

Trouble is brewing for Leona Helmsley's beloved pooch, Trouble. Helmsley, the late real estate billionaire who left her dog $12 million while two of her grandchildren got nothing, has had her dying wishes overturned by a Manhattan judge. In her will, Helmsley left her beloved white Maltese a $12 million trust fund because she concluded, Trouble was the only living creature who showed her any affection.

Trouble’s trust fund was reduced from $12 million to $2 million and $6 million was given to her overlooked grandchildren, who had argued that Helmsley was not mentally competent when she signed her will.

Although Helmsley's will had asked that either her brother or grandson care for the dog, both declined and Trouble currently resides with Carl Lekic, who manages the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel. Lekic maintains that he can work with Trouble's shrunken inheritance. In an affidavit, Lekic said that “Two million dollars . . . would be enough money to pay for Trouble’s maintenance and welfare at the highest standards of care for more than 10 years, which is more that twice her reasonably anticipated life expectancy,” he said.

Lekic put Trouble’s annual expenses at $190,000, which includes Lekic’s $60,000 guardian fee, $100,000 for ’round-the-clock security, $8,000 for grooming, $3,000 for miscellaneous expenses, $1,200 for food and anywhere from $2,500 to $18,000 for medical care. No word on whether Trouble eats his own poop.