Friday, March 16, 2012

MEMORANDUM

To: All friends and victims of Senior citizen abuse, and Financial

March 14, 2012

By now, you should be aware that after a large number of complaints were filed with the Illinois Attorney Registration and Discipline Commission complaining about the antics of the two guardian ad litem and the attorney for the plenary guardian, the commission determined that they should prosecute me and call me a 'liar.' The ARDC elected to prosecute me for complaining that the Civil rights and the Human Rights of Mary Sykes and Gloria Sykes were violated by attorneys appointed by the Court to protect the rights of Mary Sykes.

The complaint that was filed against me should be available on the ARDC website. I have prepared a Motion to Dismiss the complaint as the complaint while replete with distortions and ‘Alice in Wonderland’ conclusions fails to state a claim. Indeed, had the author of the complaint done any due diligence – such as reading the numerous communicates from ordinary citizens the complaint would never have been filed. That said, Mr. Chambers has forwarded to various active groups copies of the Motion and the exhibits. It is hoped that they post the Motion and the exhibits so as to energize everyone who is concerned with ‘substance’ and not ‘form’ to join in the effort to ‘save’ both Mary Sykes and Gloria Sykes. (see Gloria’s affidavit attached to the Motion) Gloria Sykes made the error of attempting to ‘fight’ for her mother’s liberty, right to own and enjoy her property, and to fraternize with her friends, and family. The consequences are a series of Court orders that have rendered her homeless and unable to access her property. Mary is just deprived of all her liberty, property and human rights. While all this is going on Mary’s substantial estate (estimated at a million dollars) has been reported to have been dissipated.

I have filed a ‘human rights’ complaint with the United Nations. I expect absolutely nothing from the effort, however, it has had one consequence. I have been called a liar pursuant to the new definition. A lie is any combination of words and phrases that does not advance the agenda of the political elite. The word and the concept of accuracy and/or truth are irrelevant to the new definition.

As I am in the middle of my seventh decade of life, I am a word conservative. I find it very difficult to refer to a chattel mortgage as a ‘hard loan,’ or a guarantee as a ‘credit swap.’ The concept of a liar being a person who tells the truth about of quasi or de jure public official is just too much for me. I am hoping that some of the blogs will post this appeal to all ‘word conservatives’ to join arms and protest such radical changes in the English language. In the meantime, I would like to urge everyone to raise their voice and join the hue and cry to reject ‘form’ and demand substance, i. e . ‘free Mary Sykes while she still has time to enjoy some her life!

I had a terrible thought just now – can you imagine the guardian ad litem in the Sykes case being judges! This type of travesty is entirely possible if you take democracy for granted. It is not a spectator sport. The political elite feed us ‘form’ and are vague as to substance. The recent harassments of Gloria Sykes will limited and directed to harass and deprive her of her civil rights are a stark reminder that it was not too long ago men in ‘brown shirts’ took over a country and plunged the world into a nightmare. Elder Abuse is doing the same one senior at the time – that senior could be me! Ergo ****.

Ken Ditkowsky
www.ditkowskylawoffice.com

See Also:
Mary Sykes, Illinois Victim

In the Matter of Kenneth Karl Ditkowsky

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

When will those bottom - correction - top feeders be put out of business and justice returned to Americans?

StandUp said...

We support you, Mr. Ditkowsky. You are an inspiration!

Sue said...

This shows what happens to a lawyer who has a conscience, the moral character to stand up, to shout out loud the truth of the case.

When will the authorities take Attorney Ditkowsky and Gloria Sykes seriously?

When will the authorities, the ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE and other law enforcement agencies begin to investigate the serious allegations of wrongdoing and harm to Mary Sykes?

Who knew, what they knew, when they knew it and what if anything they did about it?

Anonymous said...

Is this the new meaning of 'the Golden years'? Our gold that we saved for our old age being intercepted by others?

Rachael said...

Mr. Ditkowsky sees the whole picture. It's not just happening to Mary Sykes. It's happening all across the country.

Thelma said...

This "protection" system, while originally well intended has become a feeding frenzy for - yes, the bottom feeders, who apparently care nothing for their wards and families.

Anonymous said...

Many people who feel that their loved ones were financially exploited during their guardianship cases in Cook County, IL filed complaints against their attorneys with the ARDC. These complaints contained volumes of specific information to support their concerns. Not ONE atty was disciplined by the ARDC.

This led the team at www.probatesharks.com to audit the ARDC cases reported online for the previous 12 month period, and it supported the same thing that we were being told: The ARDC does not discipline attorneys accused of wrong doing if their cases took place on the 18th floor of the Daley Center in Chicago.

More about the audit results can be found at the link below, or by going to www.probatesharks.com and looking in the index for the ARDC Audit Results post.


http://probateshark.blogspot.com/search/label/ARDC%20AUDIT%20RESULTS

It does not surprise me that Atty Ditkowsky is under attack by the ARDC, because he is speaking out against the attorneys that the ARDC is protecting.

Thank you, Mr. Ditkowsky, for your relentless pursuit of justice for Mary Sykes and the other victims of the Cook County Probate Court.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Ditkowsky, I want to thank you for standing up for what is right. My mother and I are going through the same thing here in Florida. Different but the same! I wish we had someone like you in Florida. The Judge in Florida over my mother's case even threatened me with the States Attorney. I say bring them on! There is no one that will investigate these corrupt people. Thank you so very much!

Anonymous said...

I guess ARDC does not take the attorney oath seriously in that attorney solemnly swear that they will do no falsehoods nor consent the doing of any in court. What a shame in allowing this to happen to someone such as attorney Ken Ditkowsky. I hold him with great respect in that he DOES believe in his oath.

"You solemnly swear that you will do no falsehood nor consent to the doing of any in court, and that if you know of an intention to commit any, you will give knowledge thereof to the justices of the court or some of them that it may be prevented; you will not wittingly or willingly promote or sue any false, groundless or unlawful suit nor give aid or consent to the same; that you will delay no man for lucre or malice, but will conduct yourself in the office of an attorney within the courts according to the best of your knowledge and discretion, and with all good fidelity, as well as to the courts, as to your clients. So help you God."

Anonymous said...

1. The ARDC investigates the conduct of attorneys against a Code of Ethics, not court decisions.
2. Contrary to information reported here by Attorney Ditkowsky, the ARDC stated a succinct “complaint” against him. The ARDC says that the attorney claimed to “represent the interests of” Mary G. Sykes in letters and in other ways but that there were no contractual agreements between the attorney and Mary Sykes at those times. Had the ARDC failed to investigate a sleazy lawyer doing the same, many people would be angry.
3. As to repercussions to Gloria Sykes for attempting to ‘fight’ for her mother, G. Sykes has not been “render[ed] homeless” by the court. G. Sykes owns a home in which she does not reside but the house that she calls ‘home’ is owned by Mary Sykes. As such, it is under supervision of M. Sykes’ court-appointed Plenary Guardian of her Person and Estate and her Successor Trustee (who may demand possession at any time by complying with procedures). Management of Mary Sykes’ estate is complicated by Gloria Sykes’ claims to other assets, resulting in court Orders to ‘freeze’ assets pending G. Sykes’ proof of ownership. Further escalating estate problems, G. Sykes demands relief through several courts, including Bankruptcy, claiming a personal estate worth hundreds of thousands of dollars as well as financial interest in her mother’s house. These issues comprise the unfortunate substance of Mary Sykes’ case.
4. Mary Sykes’ “substantial estate (estimated at a million dollars)”: At times, it has been estimated that a gold coin collection is worth nearly $1M; at other times, the entire estate, including a $500K house, is worth the same. While proof of Mary Sykes' mental agility was documented in videos for all to see, no party on either side has publicly documented the actual value of her estate.
5. Was Mary G. Sykes unlawfully declared mentally incompetent? Hard to say, because two daughters asserted their rights in court to obtain guardianship over her, including the one who claims that her mother was not then, and is not now, mentally incapacitated.
6. Ken Ditkowsky stakes his reputation as an attorney on what he believes is really going on here. Let us hope that his conduct as a sincere advocate for Mary Sykes is seen beneath the pile of rubble that now covers her, as if she were part of the trash.

John said...

Mr. Ditkowsky has the tenacity to stand up for Mary Sykes and remind the court and the lawyers in the Sykes case that the proceedings are supposed to be about Mary Sykes and what's right for her.

Thank you, sir.

Betty said...

Anonymous 6:

"Contrary to information reported here by Attorney Ditkowsky, the ARDC stated a succinct “complaint” against him. The ARDC says that the attorney claimed to “represent the interests of” Mary G. Sykes in letters and in other ways but that there were no contractual agreements between the attorney and Mary Sykes at those times."

I don't know who you are so you may not have the answer to my question, but I'll ask it anyway.

Does there have to be a contract between Mary Skyes and Attorney Ditkowsky for him to be allowed to speak his mind in her behalf?

Additionally, if Attorney Ditkowsky sees violations of ethics or misconduct involving the two or more attorneys on the Sykes case, isn't it his obligation as an officer of the court to report them?

And last question, I "represent the interests of Mary Sykes" as well, as I advocate for her. I don't claim to be her lawyer, but if I advocate for her well being, then I represent her interests. Is it possible that Attorney Ditkowsky was doing the same?

Norma said...

A succinct complaint doesn't make a word of it true, Anonymous.

Ken Ditkowsky is a rare breed of lawyer..an old school lawyer who took the job to help people and who care about his clients and his friends.

If Ken Ditkowsky is sanctioned for coming to the aid of a guardianship ward whose voice has been silenced by the system, woe for the rest of us.

Anonymous said...

Ken Diskowski is being accused of misrepresenting Mary Skypes? Maybe the ARDC
should look into the whole picture, which Ken Ditkowsky is defending: "The Constitutuional Rights of Mary Skypes, who has been forcibly rendered "incapable of speaking for herself" because of fraud behind the scenes by those who had no legal right to deprive Mary Skypes of her freedom, and her daughter Gloria Skypes. the right to fight Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation, and those who protect their "backsides" in concert with the perpetrator.EBoldt

jerri said...

oh how picky and tacky that bogus complaint is claiming attorney ditkowsky didn't have legal standing didn't have a written contract to speak up for his long time client and friend mary syskes
who was blindsided when she was declared a ward of the state losing all her rights to enter into a contract people just don't 'get it' how people are impacted by being removed from their residences their neighborhoods their friends their way of life this is earth shattering to anyone especially an elderly person very best to attorney ken ditkowsky for being a human being for putting himself in harms way for giving mary sykes a voice for nothing in return but to hold people accountable for their actions and inactions thank you attorney ken ditkowsky

Anonymous said...

The old successful Civil Rights Attorneys have long
vanished from the legal podium.
Ken Ditkowski is still a rare example of fighting for justice denied an elderly person to delf-determination
and choice of where she wants to live, and with whom? How dare these corrupt guardians, attorneys, exploiters of judicial power, to dictate anyones life?
Maybe the introduction of the "Elders Protection and Abuse Prevention Act" will shake up some of these people who tyranized the elderly and their their supporter, and allow prosecution, regarding tyranny against the elderly in this country. From Oregon

Anonymous said...

In response to Anonymous with the numbered responses:

You appear to be privy to the ARDC complaint, yet I do not see it posted on their website: www.iardc.org

Please share the link where this information can be seen....or are you with the ARDC?

BarbinOregon said...

Sadly this comes as no shock... predators that make a living off the lives of others vulnerablities will do anything to keep the money coming in. What I have read from Mr. Ditkowsky's comments are so similar to what occurs in every case I have seen regarding this kind of abuse. In Oregon look up the Sue Hill conservatorship with Nancy MacDonald "protecting" her assets; or, the same conservator "protecting" a huge parcel of land in Lincoln County. The person that owned it moved out of State to get away from what we know as the "truth". Another case involves WWII Vet Benjamin Alfonso and the horrible abuse he suffered. With the ODVA calling the shots (Ziggy, Kelly Breshear)EVERY attorney involved, including his own, colluded with each other, making large amounts of blood money until this good man died... due to their negligence. My father suffered the same type of abuse....this needs to end. I would like to thank Mr. Ditkowsky for having the GUTS to SPEAK out and tell the TRUTH. I imagine the sister Caroline that seems to have acid in her veins will deal with her actions at some point. Until then, I pray that perhaps a miracle might happen and she comes to her senses. HOW CAN ANYONE BE SO CRUEL!!!! Thank you Mr. Ditkowsky for not SELLING OUT...

Connie said...

I am praying for your continued strength, Mr. Ditkowsky. You have my deepest respect and I thank you for not only what you have taught me personally but also the example you set of both what a lawyer should be and what a man should be.

Izzy said...

No matter what the outcome I saw very clearly that Mary made her wishes known to everyone and they are not being upheld.

WWII Veteran John D. said...

I tip my hat to you Ken. It's not often that people can ralley behind a lawyer. IMAGINE that! A good lawyer! God Bless You Ken. You have my support, my admiration and deep appreciation. Thank You.

honeybear said...

If the house that Gloria calls home is owned by Mary Sykes and is under the plenary guardian's supervision, then one would have to stop and wonder why the plenary guardian would evict Mary Sykes' daughter when there are YouTube videos s of Mary Sykes stating that she would always provide a home for her daughter, Gloria?

Guardians are supposed to carry out the wishes of their wards. Mary Sykes was adament that Gloria would have that house to consider her home. If the plenary guardian evicted Gloria, then the plenary guardian did so against Mary Sykes' wishes and should be removed for such an egregious act.

In the letters that Mary Sykes wrote to the judge, Mary Sykes repeated over and over that she herself wanted to go home.

Why wasn't she allowed the opportunity to go home under Gloria's care with home health care supervision?

NASGA supporter said...

It would be a pretty sad day if a lawyer were punished for doing the right thing.

I am praying for you too, Ken.

Gloria Jean Sykes said...

DEAR ALL, Today I tried to remove my personal, professional and legal properties from my home -- te home I grew up in and the home my mother and father said would always be a safe haven: my dad is turning in his grave. Today my sister LIED again, but that is to be expected: she video taped me packing every box, and claimed my property as belonging to my Mother. She wouldn't let me on the first floor, or in the basement or attic where i also have property. She gave me 3 hours to remove about 3,000 sf of property -- and tacked a typed note on the door saying that after 24 hours if not taken, then I've abandoned it. That said, I have not been able to see or talk to my mother in one year... and even though the court instructed Adam Stern to 'make it happen" (visits), Adam Stern, Cynthia Farenga, Peter Schmiedel et al can't let that happen becuase my mother will ask to speak to an attorney and/or***. Suffice, my mother asked me to find and retain Kenneth Ditkowsky. She wrote letters and of course on the digital recordings, she expressed her wishes. My mother trusts ken and considers him a good friend. Everything Ken reported is TRUTH -- there are no allegations. But then, eveything Lea Black wrote that Ken did wrong, actually the only wrongdoers, are the attorneys who reported him, Adam Stern, Cynthia Farenga and Peter Schmiedel.

I've investigated some of the most highlighted crimes in America and around the world, and reported the FACTs and changed people lives -- but I have never come across such a corrupt, insensitive, murderous world as the Cook County Courts and the officers of the courts. These are men and women who beleive they have a right to kill and are immune from any punishments and all people who seek to find justice, they simply crush like a bug under a rug.

Kennety Ditkowsky, although an 'elder' himself, beleives in Justice for all... and respects our laws. Therefore, he is targeted. Meanwhile, Cynthia Farenga, Adam Stern, Peter Schmiedel are doing exactly what they said they'd do to me -- render me penniless and homeless -- in order to churn my mother's assets, murder her, but not before they kill me too. Funny thing about a true Sykes: like kenneth Ditkowsky, we don't intimidate or fall to evil people.

Thank you all for respoding. Please sign the petition on behalf of Kenneth Ditkowsky and let's stand up to the thieves of our Counstitutional and human ights and say, "NO YOU CAN'T DO THAT". XO

Anonymous said...

Ken Ditkowsky has the nerve to stand up for Mary Sykes and what is right. I take my hat off to him and wish my own lawyer was made of the same cloth as Ditkowsky.

Anonymous said...

Do you know how many attorneys in my area would help a victim of systemic elder abuse? NONE Do you know how many corrupt attorneys involved with my case have been investigated by the corrupt disciplinary board. NONE Ditto for the judges.

God bless Attorney Ditkowsky.

Anonymous said...

Newspapers have refused to print this letter. Attorney Ditkowsky is fighting this corruption, representing a different group of victims.

“They want to be led, they want disputes settled, jobs dispensed, and loyalties rewarded. If he
achieves through deception and troubling morality, so be it. As long as he gets the job done,
they look the other way.”

This Starz's quote describes “The Boss.” It also describes players in PA's corrupt system. Kids for Cash, the Penn State scandal, and the (5-year-old sex-trafficked) Masha Allen case.
(http://www.childlaw.us/masha-allen/2009/12/) The Catholic Church scandal and corruption in
family court, some cases involving Children and Youth Services.
(http://www.timesleader.com/news/State_court__is_asked__to_step_in_03-03-2011.html)

In 2008, Senator Nancy Schaefer said, “I'm focusing on the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS). However, I believe Child Protective Services (CPS) nationwide has become corrupt and that the entire system is broken almost beyond repair.”
“Look who is being paid! There are state employees, lawyers, court investigators, court personnel, judges. Psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, caseworkers, therapists, foster
parents - all looking to the children in state custody to provide job security.”

Bill Bowen's documentary exposes this abuse. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=48YF1uEuCUA) Senator Schaefer was murdered in 2010. Mr. Bowen was found dead 5 months later.

Abused children are one piece of the corruption puzzle. Who will put the whole puzzle together?

Anonymous said...

Mr. Kenneth Ditkowsky is a shining light for all who have lost faith in the legal profession. He once told me, “There are good and honorable attorneys out there, you just have to find them.” But to find an attorney willing to risk the ill will of the Inns of Court is like finding a diamond in a mountain of manure.

I too represent the interests of Mary Sykes. Although the court considers Ms. Mary no more than a piece of meat with no rights and no protection under the law, I will never disregard her worth as a human being. And I will stand by Mr. Ditkowsky as he has done nothing wrong; he has never lied and never misrepresented himself. The complaint also accuses Mr. Ditkowsky of interfering with current litigation. However, there should be no current litigation as the failure of the plenary guardian to serve the 14 day notices prior to the appointment of a guardian at litem is jurisdictional. And since when is bringing the truth to light considered “interfering?” It appears that Mr. Ditkowsky is being persecuted for “interfering” with the predatory guardianship of Ms. Mary.

Regardless of all the intimidation, Mr. Ditkowsky never abandoned his friend, Ms. Mary. His integrity as well as his moral and ethical conscience drives him to value human rights and the law more than his own safety.

I also represent the interests of Gloria Sykes who has suffered losing everything because she stood up to this injustice to save her Mother.

I represent the interests of all who have fallen victim to the predatory guardianship scam which is nothing less than legalized judicial exploitation. Another term that aptly describes this highly protected money making industry is legalized identity theft.

The ARDC can proffer all the self righteous indignation and misconstrue Mr. Ditkowsky’s words and intentions but the fact remains; Mr. Ditkowsky is being persecuted for shining a light into this injustice. And he, like other honorable men who are held to a higher standard and had the courage to stand up to tyranny, is being persecuted by the very people who should be standing up for justice…unless they are part of the problem.

Anonymous said...

The ARDC has made no move to persecute the attorneys who were/are actually involved this financial exploitation case, including the former attorney for Gloria Sykes. These attorneys have lied and colluded to circumvent the law in order to put and keep Ms. Mary in an unwarranted guardianship and appoint a guardian that Ms. Mary had sought a restraining order against.

These attorneys have trampled the rights and tried to destroy all who get in their way.

The ARDC has had dozens of reports of misconduct including the aiding and abetting of the non-inventory of Mary Sykes' assets. As the plenary guardian is a fiduciary, the non-inventory of all her property is a serious matter. The claim by her attorney that there is only $4000 left in the Estate is even more serious.

The guardians ad litem have neglected their duty as the eyes and ears of the court who is responsible to Ms. Mary as the ultimate guardian. In fact, I understand that one of the guardians ad litem was never actually appointed as such. They have allowed the guardian to isolate Ms. Mary from her friends and family, they have allowed the guardian to seriously neglect the health of Ms. Mary, their colluded actions to protect the guardian at the expense of Ms. Mary speak louder than words, they have allowed Ms. Mary’s estate to be plundered, they have not once regarded the wishes of Ms. Mary to have an attorney represent her...taking that job upon themselves, although this is expressly not their duty, they have never allowed Ms. Mary to have her day in court, they tried to suppress evidence that Ms. Mary is not incompetent, and they have never related Ms. Mary’s concerns to the court. And if Gloria Sykes’ name was on the safety deposit box that was drilled, a theft occurred at that very moment, and the Bank may have some liability as well.

There are numerous crimes that need to be investigated. The attorneys that helped plan, execute, and continue the predatory guardianship of Ms. Mary are the attorneys that the ARDC should be persecuting. As explained in the following these attorneys should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law along with the guardian. “Although a distinction was noted at common law, our Criminal Code now provides that an accessory before the fact shall be tried and convicted as principal (Ill.Rev.Stat.1957, chap. 38, par. 582) and it is not essential that the indictment against such accessory describe the circumstances as they actually occurred, but it is sufficient if he is charged with the legal effect of acts performed by him.”

And the ARDC is persecuting Mr. Ditkowsky for trying to advocate for Ms. Mary…what is wrong with this picture?
To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them. - [Proverbs 28: 4.]

Barbara said...

Freedom of speech is at stake here!

Reform Warrior said...

I wonder how many complaints the ARDC files against attorneys and the theme of those complaints.

Ken Ditkowsky is being held out to dry as an example to other attorneys that if they go against the system, they will suffer.

I do not believe Ken Ditkowsky will be bufalloed or intimidated into silence because too much is at stake here: Mary Sykes.

Garr Sanders said...

Thank God for Gloria Sykes. Gloria seems to be making head way were others of us have not been able to in our own guardianship nightmares. It is my prayer that Gloria will soon be victorious for her mother.

God Bless you Gloria. You go girl.

Anonymous said...

Tragically the courts turn a human life into a war ....... We pray for the family. Mary Skyes is just a piece of property not a person with a heart and soul.

How do they all sleep at night ....and when I say all I mean the FBI, the Federal Attorneys, the US Senators and Congressmen and women and the President.

Anonymous said...

Tragically the courts turn a human life into a war ....... We pray for the family. Mary Skyes is just a piece of property not a person with a heart and soul.

How do they all sleep at night ....and when I say all I mean the FBI, the Federal Attorneys, the US Senators and Congressmen and women and the President.

Anonymous said...

The hellish stuff that is going on with our courts, regarding the elderly, seniors, disabled, etc., is atrocious and will be stopped. These people are predators. I'm with those that have a conscience and are willing to stand up for what is righteous. As the bible teaches us those who do not listen to the cries of those that cannot help themselves; they themselves will not be heard when it's their time.