Sunday, March 20, 2011

Unfit to be a Lawyer, Yet Allowed to be a Guardian

The case of Terri Ann Hauge, charged with bilking 10 vulnerable adults, shows the flaws in selecting and monitoring conservators.

Terri Ann Hauge's career as a lawyer came to an abrupt end in 1995 when state officials suspended her license for mishandling cases and lying to her clients.

But that didn't end Hauge's work in the courthouse. In a professional comeback that raises questions about how the state oversees court-appointed caretakers, Hauge and her business partner went on to amass the state's fourth-largest portfolio of work as guardians and conservators.

Though Hauge never sought reinstatement as a lawyer, she and her company, Estate Resources, were given control over the lives and finances of more than 200 vulnerable adults, despite complaints of neglect and mismanagement that go back as far as 2000, court records show.

Late last year, Hauge was charged with stealing $68,000 from 10 vulnerable adults in Rice County while ignoring their needs. One mentally ill man, investigators said, was living in squalor when he was rescued.

Full Article and Source:
Unfit to be a Lawyer, Yet a Guardian for 200

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, this pretty much tells it all, doesn't it?

Connie said...

Geez, obviously the judges on the guarianship cases knew of Hauge's history. Now what does that tell us about the judge's feelings of what our vulnerable elderly and/or disabled are worth to society?

Luis said...

Asleep at the switch?
No.
More like feeding at the trough with their friends - otherwise known as a quid pro quo.

Donna said...

Terri Ann Hauge is unfit to be a human being.

Betty said...

..."despite complaints of neglect and mismanagement....

EVERY case Terri Ann Hauge was on should be thoroughly reviewed. At the same time, those cases should be looked at for patterns of the all too cozy relationship between lawyers and the court.

That courthouse needs a good disinfecting!

Anonymous said...

Look at that: 200 people likely victimized and everybody knew what they were dealing with.

Shame on the judges. The judges should be disbarred.

Mark said...

Terri Ann Hauge should be sent to prison for 20+ years.

Anonymous said...

Oh what a clear picture of the truth about guardianships! Keep it up Terri Ann Hauge a shameful example of how lawyers are protected where there is one there are many, far too many we the people are being played for fools.