Monday, March 2, 2009

Probate Judge Orders Return of Money

The probate court is joining the Jasper County public administrator’s office in seeking the return of county wards’ money that was sent to the state.

Rita Hunter, in the final weeks of her tenure as the elected public administrator in December, sent about $85,000 from the accounts of wards to state health-care agencies, said Gretchen Long, attorney for Angie Casavecchia, who replaced Hunter as administrator.

Probate Judge David Mouton has signed orders asking that the money be returned. The orders have been sent along with copies of court motions from Long saying that the payments were not authorized by the court or sought by the state, and that the wards need the money for their care. Under state law, approval by the judge is required for expenditures from wards’ accounts that exceed $1,000. Court records do not show that court permission for the expenditures was ever sought.

Full Article and Source:
Probate court joins in asking for return of wards’ money

More information:
Nursing homes feeling squeeze w/ Gretchen Long letter to facilities and caregivers

See also:
Exceeding Authority

6 comments:

  1. No apparent explanation of how this "happened"???

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  2. Returned to the people Hunter took it from? Or returned to the Public Administrator's control?

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  3. QUOTE: Rita Hunter, in the final weeks of her tenure as the elected public administrator in December, sent about $85,000 from the accounts of wards to state health-care agencies, said Gretchen Long, attorney for Angie Casavecchia, who replaced Hunter as administrator."

    Ummmm. Ms. Hunter sends $85K to State coffers vs the 'wards' rightful 'heirs'. Perhaps the internal investigation will reveal 'most' of these wards had no 'heirs' and the Angie Casavechhia case was an 'oversight'. A 'plausable' explanation but WHY within weeks of her tenure? Perhaps an 'independent' investigation should rule out 'kickbacks'; i.e., benefits, perks, a more lucrative or more powerful position in State Government.

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  4. Rita Hunter, the Elected Public Administrator should be held accountable for her unethical conduct if it is discovered she received any compensation for mishandling estate funds. The timing of the transfer of the $85,000's is suspect in my view.

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  5. I am glad to see Rita Hunter still under the bright lights!

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  6. crooks they're all crooks boy i would love to see their financial records like their savings and checking accounts deposits and heck check out their houses for hidden cash i dont believe anyone anymore never all we hear are LIES LIES LIES and everyone is after the almight buck i hope they all break their necks tripping over each other no loss just less evil people in our society

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