MEJI (Michigan Elder Justice Initiative) Celebrates the Passage of Two Important Guardianship and Conservatorship Reform Bills

Two important bills--SB 585 and SB 586--are on their way to the Governor’s desk after unanimous support in the Michigan House and Senate.

These bills address a common situation: A guardian moves someone from their long-time home into a nursing home, throws away their belongings, and then the conservator quickly sells the house for below fair market value. . SB 585 requires a recent appraisal by a licensed professional before the court permits a conservator to sell a person’s home and requires the court to explain if it approves a sale for less than fair market value. SB 586 requires court approval and provides additional safeguards before a guardian permanently moves an individual out of their home. The bills reflect MEJI’s longstanding efforts with the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Task Force to reform Michigan’s guardianship system and ensure people under guardianship and conservatorship are protected and empowered. 

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MEJI  (Michigan Elder Justice Initiative) Celebrates the Passage of Two Important Guardianship and Conservatorship Reform Bills 

Suspended judge spent more than $1 million on PR firms and radio ads from discretionary fund

Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard is featured in a newsletter mailed to residents throughout Jefferson County. Blanchard used money from a discretionary account to fund the project.Tamika Moore

By Joseph D. Bryant

In a little over a year, the probate judge for Alabama’s largest county approved more than $1 million in spending for two consultants, along with thousands more for radio commercials and promotional materials including T-shirts and photo shoots.

According to documents obtained and reviewed by AL.com, the spending occurred under Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard.

Blanchard was suspended from the bench May 21 on unrelated allegations of misconduct. Blanchard has denied any wrongdoing in advance of a state judicial hearing July 9 in Montgomery.

Money for the seven-figure spending came from a discretionary fund that was created primarily to preserve and digitize old county records.

Blanchard’s spending from the discretionary fund expanded the types of expenditures it paid for, current and former county employees told AL.com.

“Based on what I’ve seen and heard, I don’t think this is typical,” said former Jefferson County Manager Tony Petelos.

Petelos has insight into the fund and its use. As the county’s first CEO, who retired in 2021, Petelos worked alongside Probate Judge Alan King, who created the discretionary fund, in addition to working with his immediate successor, Judge Jim Naftel.

The county manager does not control the probate judge’s spending, but county accountants and staff members process the spending requested by the presiding judge.

In a statement to AL.com through her attorneys, Blanchard said she remains committed to digitizing and modernizing the probate court, and that’s how the money was spent.

“I wanted to build community engagement, expand outreach and improve the communication infrastructure with all citizens of Jefferson County,” she said. “We hired experienced consultants to streamline services for residents and redesigned how information and services are delivered to the citizens of Jefferson County.”

Blanchard, who took office in early 2025, approved spending of at least $637,000 to CBG Strategies LLC, a Birmingham-based political and public relations firm led by Lindsey McAdory.

Reached by AL.com, McAdory declined to comment, saying his firm has a policy of not discussing clients. But McAdory said his work is detailed in his contract with the court. AL.com has requested a copy of the contract.

AL.com obtained detailed spending records from the probate court’s discretionary account.

While most check entries are labeled as “professional services,” a few notes give some indication of what CBG provided. Those services include a note on a $31,301 check entry, dated May 2025, for “direct mail reimbursement” and a similar note for a $22,331 check in May 2026.

The probate court under Blanchard also paid $450,000 to Greene Consulting Group LLC. Most of those entries were labeled generally as professional services. The Huntsville-based government affairs and consulting company was founded by Samuel T. Greene II.

Greene previously served as a legislative aide and outreach coordinator in the U.S. House of Representatives and was the director of governmental affairs for the Madison County Commission, according to a 2024 press release.

Greene was also a lobbyist registered with the state of Alabama, according to public records.

AL.com’s calls and messages to Greene were not returned.

Additionally, Blanchard spent $142,000 for radio ads, some of which featured her giving guidance on how to prepare for upcoming elections. The probate judge is the county’s elections official.

Records show spending from the probate court fund included at least $9,400 in photography.

A photo invoice entry in October 2025 detailed $850 in services for photos for assistant Probate Judge Jacqueline Knox, Blanchard’s appointed deputy judge. Other photos listed include headshots for staff members and images showcasing office and community events.

Spending from the discretionary fund also included thousands more for office furnishings and donations to community health and neighborhood organizations.

The Jefferson County Probate Court Archive Fund was established by the State Legislature in 2012, primarily to preserve and digitize county records.

Probate Judge Alan King, at the time, sought to create the fund to pay for preserving millions of pages of documents that spanned nearly 200 years, including property records, marriage licenses and military papers. Some of those records were crumbling in the courthouse basement archives.

The fund is supported by fees charged to the public for documents filed in probate court. According to the legislation, the fund would also pay the salary for a judicial assistant.

King told AL.com that he used a two-tiered system of checks and balances when spending money from the fund.

“While I was the Jefferson County Probate Judge, every expenditure from the archival and technology fund was made with the prior approval of the county attorney’s office, who are the attorneys for probate court and for other county departments, and with the prior approval of the Alabama State Auditor’s Office,” he said.

King served four terms as a probate judge, beginning with his election in 2000, until his retirement as presiding probate judge in 2020.

State legislation that created the fund gives the probate judge a degree of flexibility in using the money, but stipulates that beyond improved archive-related systems and equipment, the money must be used for “services necessary for the improvement of the office of the judge of probate.”

The probate court’s discretionary fund includes several bank accounts that are separately managed from the Jefferson County budget. AL.com has requested additional details regarding fund totals and historic spending.

In her statement to AL.com, Blanchard said spending under her direction was done for the benefit of the citizens.

“These efforts culminated into strategic planning and execution of a mobile app, a robust social media and digital/physical communications plan, a more efficient case management system, and an ADA-compliant website, a more efficient land records system, and various community engagement opportunities for our residents hosted by the courthouse with all aimed at delivering faster, better services to our citizens,” Blanchard said.

While the legislation specifically names the use of the fund to preserve records and pay for an assistant, it does not reference any other specific types of spending.

The absence of guardrails and specific language regarding the use of public funds is problematic, said Jim Sumner, a retired longtime director of the Alabama Ethics Commission.

“Public funds should be generally limited to the stated purpose for which they were established,” Sumner told AL.com. “Public monies which can be dispersed solely at the discretion of an office holder, without any guidelines or restrictions, is an invitation for abuse and misuse. From an ethical perspective, it is simply not good public policy.”

Susan Pace Hamill, a University of Alabama Professor Emerita of Law who specializes in business organizations and ethics, questioned the spending.

“In this case, we can charitably deem the narrative as an example of an attempt to engage in ‘creative interpretation’ of the law,” Hamill said.

Like Sumner, Hamill said she was concerned about the lack of guidance and regulations for a public fund that generates millions of dollars. Hamill said the rules are too broad and rely too much on the honesty of the judges in charge.

“This is why it is important to vigorously scrutinize for abuse of flexible standards and then harshly penalize obvious violations of the spirit of the law,” Hamill said. “Public funds don’t come from the sky - these funds have been extracted from taxpayers and blatant abuse of the funds erode taxpayer confidence, which is already quite low in Alabama.

Full Article & Source:
Suspended judge spent more than $1 million on PR firms and radio ads from discretionary fund

See Also:
Suspended Alabama probate judge denies all accusations of bullying and other misconduct

Horrifying details released in case against suspended Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard

Suspended Jefferson County probate judge accused of election interference in new lawsuit

Jefferson County judge suspended, complaint says she called herself “ultimate authority”

Glamorous judge accused of bullying, intimidation and delaying cases so she could take her DOGS for a walk 

Two former nursing home employees sentenced in elder abuse case

Two former employees of a nursing home in Guthrie have now been sentenced after pleading guilty in a case involving the abuse and exploitation of elderly residents in their care.

On Tuesday, Logan County District Judge Jason Reese sentenced 23-year-old Aubrey Granata and 22-year-old McKenzie Bolfa after both entered guilty pleas to conspiracy and elder abuse charges.

The sentences mirror one handed down to former employee Jade Williams, who was also convicted in the same investigation.

According to court records, Granata and Bolfa each received a 10-year sentence with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections on the conspiracy conviction. As a special condition, both were ordered to complete the Drug Offender Work Camp, or an equivalent program, and may request a one-year review of their sentence.

On the elder abuse conviction, each received an additional 10-year suspended sentence, contingent upon good behavior. Conditions of the suspended sentence include completing drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations with any recommended treatment, submitting to random drug testing, maintaining full-time employment or providing proof of an exemption, completing 300 hours of community service, paying court costs and fees, and serving two years under Department of Corrections supervision. The sentences are to run consecutively, with credit given for time already served.

The investigation began after a former Golden Age Nursing Home employee reported disturbing misconduct to the Guthrie Police Department.

Investigators alleged that Granata, Bolfa and Williams exchanged Snapchat videos and photographs showing elderly residents in degrading and inhumane conditions. Court documents stated one video showed an elderly resident lying in a bed wearing only a shirt and diaper while surrounded by fecal matter. Another showed a male resident nude from the waist down, while additional images allegedly depicted deceased residents being mocked.

At the time of the investigation, Guthrie Police Chief Don Sweger called the case “one of the saddest things” his department had investigated, noting the importance of protecting vulnerable residents who cannot always speak for themselves.

Following the arrests, Golden Age Nursing Home stated the employees had passed background checks, received training on resident rights and safety, and were immediately terminated after the allegations surfaced. The facility said it fully cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation.

With Tuesday’s sentencings, all three former employees charged in the case have now pleaded guilty and been sentenced.

The accused, 21-year-old Aubrey Granata, 21-year-old Jade Williams, and 20-year-old McKenzie Bolfa, are now facing serious charges of elderly abuse.

Full Article & Source:
Two former nursing home employees sentenced in elder abuse case

Family Dispute Ends with Elderly Father Injured, Property Damaged and Cave Spring Man Arrested

Evan Daniel Jones, 34 of Cave Spring, was arrested this week after police said he physically assaulted his 73 year-old father at a home on Gadsden Road.

Police said that Jones “got into the face” of the victim during an argument before physically attacking him.  The victim suffered a visible cut on his arm during the assault.

Jones then allegedly proceeded to break and destroy the victim’s property, causing close to $1,000 in damage.

Officers aid that when they arrived on the scene, Jones refused commands to get out of his bed  and place his arms behind his back.

Jones is charged with simple assault, battery, 2^nd degree criminal damage to property, exploitation of elderly/disabled and obstruction. 

Full Article & Source:
Family Dispute Ends with Elderly Father Injured, Property Damaged and Cave Spring Man Arrested

Putnam County caregiver accused of elder neglect, financial exploitation

by: Pat O’Donnell 

PUTNAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Putnam County caretaker has been arrested for the alleged neglect and financial exploitation of his grandfather.

According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Brandon McBroom was arrested on Tuesday, June 30. He is charged with aggravated neglect of an elderly adult, theft of property and financial exploitation of an elderly adult.

Adult Protective Services contacted the PCSO on April 13 regarding the alleged neglect and financial exploitation of McBroom’s 84-year-old grandfather, officials said.

APS and Putnam County Detective Garrett responded to the 84-year-old man’s home where they found he had been “living in extremely poor conditions,” the PCSO said.

The PCSO’s investigation revealed the 84-year-old had not been bathed in weeks, was experiencing shortness of breath and could not answer basic questions. Investigators found nonfunctioning bathrooms, caved-in flooring, trash and dirt covering surfaces and a small amount of food in the home.

EMS transported the 84-year-old for medical treatment due to his condition, officials said.

According to the PCSO, the man suffered from severe malnutrition, leading to more medical complications.

“Investigators determined the victim’s nutritional needs had not been adequately met by his caregiver,” the PCSO said in a release.

The PCSO’s investigation also revealed the 84-year-old had been financially exploited. Between January and March, the man overdrew his bank account multiple times and never received checks mailed to his home.

According to the PCSO, a review of bank records showed McBroom had transferred about $4,460.50 from his grandfather’s account into his own bank account on 30 separate transactions. 

“Investigators also determined that two of the victim’s checks had been deposited into McBroom’s personal account,” the PCSO said.

McBroom was arrested Tuesday and is being held on a $143,000 bond. He will appear in court on Aug. 10.

“Our elderly citizens deserve dignity, compassion, and protection. I appreciate the work of Detective Garrett and Adult Protective Services for ensuring this victim is now safe and receiving the care he deserves,” Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said. “If you suspect an elderly person is being abused, neglected, or financially exploited, I encourage you to report it immediately.” 

Full Article & Source:
Putnam County caregiver accused of elder neglect, financial exploitation 

Jefferson City woman charged with elder exploitation in Cole County

by Max Quinn

A warrant was issued Thursday for a Jefferson City woman accused of financially exploiting a nursing home resident, according to court documents.

Amy Shoup is charged with financial exploitation of an elderly or disabled person and misappropriation of funds of an elderly nursing home resident.

She allegedly spent $52,494.91 of the victim's money between Aug. 26, 2024, and June 1 while the victim was living in a nursing home, according to a probable cause statement.

Shoup held durable power of attorney over the victim and was in charge of paying for the victim's nursing home bills, according to the statement.

The nursing home the victim lived in was sold in November 2025. Shoup owed the old company $67,000 and the new one $16,000, according to the statement.

Only sporadic attempts have been made to pay those balances, according to court documents.

The victim said Shoup was not permitted to use their money for anything except for their care. The victim has not seen their debit card nor identification card since they were admitted into the home, according to the probable cause statement.

Shoup admitted to investigators that she had not paid the nursing home bills despite paying her own bills with the victims' funds, according to the probable cause statemnet.

Shoup has a $50,000 surety bond and a warrant out for her arrest. 

Full Article & Source:
 Jefferson City woman charged with elder exploitation in Cole County

Chatham County woman facing nearly 70 felonies after being accused of financially exploiting elderly uncle: Sheriff

by: Matthew Sockol

SILER CITY, N.C. (WNCN) — A Chatham County woman is facing nearly 70 felonies after being accused of financially exploiting an elderly family member, the sheriff’s office said Thursday.

According to the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation into 37-year-old Maggi Elizabeth Brady of Siler City of Siler City began last October after the Chatham County Department of Social Services reported concerns of her misusing her elderly uncle’s money.

Deputies said Brady has power of attorney to maintain her uncle’s finances.

The department’s Adult Protective Services investigation determined the victim was unaware of his finances, including his banks, investment accounts, and transactions, according to the sheriff’s office. 

After reviewing bank records provided by the department, according to the sheriff’s office, deputies identified several transactions involving accounts connected to Brady. They served search warrants on multiple businesses and financial institutions, revealing the victim’s cards and accounts were used to make payments to Brady’s accounts.

Deputies said they charged Brady with 32 counts of felony exploitation of an elder in a position of trust, 33 counts of felony identity theft, and one count of felony financial card fraud. In total, she is facing 66 felonies.

As of Thursday afternoon, the charges have not been served, but deputies said Brady is scheduled to appear in Chatham County District Court on Monday. 

Full Article & Source:
Chatham County woman facing nearly 70 felonies after being accused of financially exploiting elderly uncle: Sheriff 

"The Detective Who Forgot His Daughter: Peter Falk's Alzheimer's & The Law That Changed America"

By Tom Gitaa 

Peter Falk spent 35 years playing Columbo, television's sharpest detective. The man who never missed a clue, never forgot a detail, never lost a case.

But in 2008, when his daughter Catherine knocked on his door, les enfants de la télé Peter looked at her and asked: "Who are you?"

Alzheimer's had taken his memory. But what flowers happened next was even more devastating—his wife Shera refused to let Catherine visit. For three years, Catherine fought in court for the right to see her dying father. She lost.

Peter Falk died on June 23, 2011. Catherine found out on TMZ.

But Catherine didn't give up. She turned her tragedy into sporting life 10k route a mission, lobbying state legislatures across America. Today, over 10 states have passed "Peter Falk Laws"—giving adult children the legal right to visit incapacitated parents.

This is the story of Columbo's final case: a daughter's fight for goodbye, and how one family's tragedy changed guardianship laws for thousands. 

Full Article & Source:
"The Detective Who Forgot His Daughter: Peter Falk's Alzheimer's & The Law That Changed America"

THE FINAL FIGHT WRAPS PRODUCTION IN NEW YORK; MORGAN NEVILLE JOINS NEXT PHASE OF POST-PRODUCTION

 

Press Release Date 04-14-2026

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Josh Davis as Scott Cohen and Tom Hair Martin Cohen

Upper East Site Coverage of The Final Fight

Actor Ryan Spahn and Todd J. Stein on the set of The Final Fight

Short film inspired by the true story of Todd Stein’s fight to free his father from guardianship moves into editing following its New York production wrap.

The Final Fight is about love holding a family together under pressure. It’s also very much TJ, his heart, his strength, his resilience.”

— Ryan Spahn

NEW YORK CITY, NY, UNITED STATES, April 14, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Final Fight, a short film based on the true story of Todd “TJ” Stein’s battle to free his father, former boxer Marvin Stein, from guardianship, has officially wrapped production in New York City and is now moving into post-production, with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville officially attached as editor.

Written, directed, and produced by Stein, The Final Fight follows Scott Cohen, a man returning home to New York to fight for his father’s freedom and dignity. Inspired by real events, the film explores guardianship, family fracture, elder abuse, and the devastating human cost of losing control over personal decision-making.

The project recently received coverage from Upper East Site, which documented the film’s final days of production in Lenox Hill and highlighted the strong emotional connection between the film’s story and the neighborhood where Stein’s real-life experience unfolded. Filming included key scenes at Gotham Cafe, a location central to both Stein’s personal history and the spirit of the film.

Shot over four days across New York City, The Final Fight completed principal photography with a cast and crew that brought together seasoned actors, neighborhood artists, and people with personal ties to the subject matter. The cast includes Josh Davis as Scott Cohen, Trini Alvarado as Paige Carson, a New York Times reporter drawn into the story’s emotional and legal stakes, Ryan Spahn as Brad Kessler and James Ciccone as Ronnie “Hacks” Russo. Ciccone recently appeared in Dan Levy’s Netflix series BIG MISTAKES, which aired this month, where he portrayed therapist Peter Costa. He will next be seen in The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins, starring alongside Tracy Morgan, Bobby Moynihan, and Daniel Radcliffe.

Casting Director Adrienne Stern assembled a cast intended to reflect the intimacy, tension, and humanity at the center of Stein’s fight for his father’s autonomy.

“This film is deeply personal,” said Todd Stein. “It comes out of one of the most painful chapters in my family’s life, but also from a need to tell the truth about what so many families endure in silence. Wrapping production is an enormous milestone, and having Morgan Neville join the film as we move into post-production is incredibly meaningful. She understands how to shape deeply human stories with urgency, compassion, and power.”

Spahn, who plays Brad Kessler, spoke to both his long friendship with Stein and the emotional responsibility he felt stepping into the project. “TJ Stein’s been in my life longer than almost anyone outside my family, we met when I was 17. I’m 46 now. That kind of history sticks,” said Ryan Spahn. “So when TJ asked me to help bring his family’s story to life, especially something as personal as his father’s experience in a guardianship, I was honored. And yeah, I felt a real responsibility to get it right. The Final Fight is about love holding a family together under pressure. It’s also very much TJ, his heart, his strength, his resilience. And doing it opposite dreamboat Josh Davis didn’t hurt. Made the whole thing feel easy in the best way.”

Alvarado said she was immediately moved by both the material and the people behind it. “I’m so thrilled to be a part of this project alongside Josh Davis, Tom John Hair, Margaret Reed, Ryan Spahn, and the rest of the amazing cast,” said Trini Alvarado, who plays Paige Carson. “Todd is so inspiring to have gone through this harrowing ordeal and come out on the other side to share his experience. This is such an important story that could affect any one of us.”

With production now complete, The Final Fight enters its next creative phase under Neville’s editorial guidance, as the team prepares the film for completion and festival submission. Co-Producer Marlene Schneider said she is especially excited for this next stage and for the chance to see the performances fully come to life on screen, particularly after being closely involved in casting many of the actors who helped shape the film.

“Morgan brings extraordinary storytelling instincts and emotional precision to this next stage,” Stein added. “As we shape the final cut, we’re focused on making a film that is both intimate and impactful… something that honors my father, reflects the truth of this experience, and resonates far beyond our own family.”

At its core, The Final Fight is both a personal reckoning and a broader call to awareness around guardianship abuse and the rights of vulnerable older adults. As the project moves through post-production, the team is targeting a festival circuit in the Fall of 2025 Spring of 2026.

About The Final Fight: The Final Fight is a short film based on the true story of Todd J. Stein’s fight to free his father, former boxer Marvin Stein, from guardianship. Set in New York City, the film explores family, injustice, resilience, and the fight for personal autonomy. The story was chronicled in The New York Times article "The Fight Of This Old Boxer's Life Was With His Own Family", By John Leland.

Colin Harp
Team Stein
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THE FINAL FIGHT WRAPS PRODUCTION IN NEW YORK; MORGAN NEVILLE JOINS NEXT PHASE OF POST-PRODUCTION