Richard Simmons’ Family Slams Housekeeper’s ‘Greed’ amid Fight Over His Estate: ‘He Would Be Heartbroken’ (Exclusive)

The late fitness icon's family says Teresa Reveles "made an informed decision" when she declined her co-trustee role that she's trying to restore

Richard Simmons' family is disputing his longtime house manager's claims that she was pressured into removing herself as a co-trustee of the late fitness guru's estate.

On Wednesday, Sept. 25, Teresa Reveles, who served as Simmons' house manager and friend for 36 years, filed a petition to be restated as a co-trustee for Simmons' estate.

Reveles claimed that she was misled by Simmons' brother Lenny and his wife Cathy into giving up the role while she was grieving for Richard. Lenny is the other co-trustee of Richard's estate and a beneficiary.

Tom Estey, a spokesperson for the Simmons family, provided PEOPLE an exclusive statement in response to Reveles' petition.

"Richard’s message was always one of joy and positivity. He would be heartbroken to learn of Teresa’s greed and insulted that she would diminish their three decades of supposed friendship in such a public way. Her actions threaten to harm Richard’s incredible legacy, which we are working hard to preserve," the statement begins.

"Richard took impeccable care of Teresa and made sure even after his passing that she was well taken care of," the statement continues. "She is a significant beneficiary of his will. She made an informed decision to decline to serve as co-trustee of the estate, which does not affect her status as a beneficiary at all."

The allegations in the petition are completely and demonstrably false, and we have informed her counsel of those facts. Teresa’s request to be reinstated as co-trustee was declined because co-trustees must work together in the best interests of the estate, and Teresa has shown by her actions that she does not share those interests."

Related: From the Spotlight to His Quiet Last Years: Remembering Richard Simmons' Life in Photos

Even now, two months after he died, she is staying in his house, even though she has her own residence, and she has attempted to charge the estate for her living expenses. We also have learned that a documentary has been pitched to Netflix that identifies Teresa as the principal source and contributor and that we believe will be hurtful to Richard’s legacy."

Unfortunately, it appears that Teresa intends to waste the assets of the estate, which otherwise would go to the beneficiaries, to pursue meritless and pointless litigation. When the court is apprised of the facts that already have been given to Teresa’s attorney, we are confident that the court will deny the petition."

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Until the matter is resolved, Reveles asked the court in her petition to prohibit Lenny from profiting from Richard’s image and likeness. She remains a beneficiary to Richard's estate.

PEOPLE has reached out to Reveles' lawyers for comment on the Simmons family statement.

Richard died on the morning of July 13, two days after he fell in his home. His unresponsive body was found in his bedroom Reveles and he was declared dead at the scene.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office said in an Aug. 22 press release that Simmons died from blunt traumatic injuries, He had just celebrated his 76th birthday the day before.

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