Monday, August 31, 2009

Stealing From Mom and Dad in Oregon

Ask Clara Philpot how she's doing, and she'll answer with a beaming smile and a hearty "Fantastic." Ask the 87-year-old who is president or the name of the dog napping in her lap and she can't say.

Philpot, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2002, also can't explain how or why she borrowed almost $1 million to finance a luxury home in Sherwood and immediately deeded half to Gayla and Jeff Ross, a daughter and son-in-law who took care of her.

After looking at the evidence, however, a Clackamas County jury took less than two hours to find Gayla Ross guilty of aggravated theft and first-degree criminal mistreatment.

Ross now faces prison. She will be sentenced Sept. 8 along with her husband, Jeff Ross, a former Washington County sheriff's deputy who was convicted of first-degree criminal mistreatment.

Philpot's net worth now is zero -- she gets by on Social Security -- and she could soon be homeless. The debt on the Molalla house she and her husband bought 43 years ago, and once owned free and clear, now exceeds the property's value, and she hasn't made a mortgage payment for two years.

Three years ago, Clara Philpot appeared to have the resources to comfortably live out her days at her Molalla home, cared for by her children and other loved ones.

Then Gayla Ross took command.

"It took Gayla less two months to squander a lifetime of work," said Chris Farley, a court-appointed guardian who now manages the details of Philpot's foggy life.

Full Article and Source:
Stealing From Mom and Dad in Oregon

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

This could go either way. We don't know the circumstances really. I admit it looks bad for Gayla Ross because her mother borrowed the money to finance the home.

But we are unsure of the facts of this case. Was the home a long standing goal of Clara Philpot's? We just don't know.

StandUp said...

This article has a common theme with guardianship -- it took just a couple of months to go through a lifetime of savings, etc.

That's what bad guardianship does - exactly.

In this case, Pilpot has a chance of holding the culprits accountable.

If the culprits had been her guardians, there would be no hope for accountability.

Anonymous said...

The apple fell far from the tree in this family!

I am sorry, Clara, for the ungrateful and greedy family you were saddled with.

Anonymous said...

I hope these perps get the maximum punishment the law allows.

Anonymous said...

You're right, Anon 1, we don't have the total facts and so we can't say for sure, but it sure looks bad for Gayla and Jeff Ross.

jerri said...

I think Clara Philpot at 87 was taken advantage of. Greed is a "luxury" home; need would have been a modest home.

Anonymous said...

Remember that family is often maligned by the opposition and the court.

It's a dirty little guardian trick.

Anonymous said...

The jury sat for two weeks and heard all side of this case, and they took only two hours for a guilty verdict on all six charges against Gayla Ross. The sentence will be handed down on Tuesday, September 8 at 8:30 in the Clackamas county courthouse in Oregon City on Main Street. Judge Steale will give a verdict at that time. Show your support for justice by attending the court proceding, so be there early. That does have an impact on the sentencing regarding the total obliteration of the mother's estate.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Anonymous 6. Here's hoping she gets the book thrown at her and there is a big turn out at the sentencing to watch it.

Please update us after the hearing.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the good news. The jury deliberated for only 2 hours; they sent a clear message, now it's up to the judge to sentence the offender and I hope he uses this opportunity to show no mercy.

Anonymous said...

It is amazing, that the Clackamas County Sheriff and District Attorney, had enough funds to prosecute at least on case, in Oregon, while other complaints of criminal charges of exploiting an elderly parent, are left to civil litigation..

Anonymous said...

Patricia Piazza, of Farley, piazza ans associates, just got called in to protect an elderly man's assets---instead, they used confidential documents that they had no right to have, to rob the man themselves. Pat Piazza was never this man's fiduciary, instead she went to court and got appointed to probate HIS PARENTS estate. She found a loophole that could enable them to take this man's home from him. We were lied to to obtain the documents they are using. It took these people less than 30 days to break this elderly gentleman---who was never their client.

Beware, what you see is not necessarily what you get.

I have documentation to prove what I'm saying here, so I hope Pat Piazza wants to bring them all into the public forum for all to see. Just challenge me on this, Ms. Piazza.

thomasjohnson said...

To Anonymous...
We are looking for anyone who has had legal issues with Farely & Pizzio after being appointed to gaurdianship. Please respond ASAP.

Anonymous said...

There has been multiple problems since they took over and it's getting worse I don't think Farley piazza is very good for the people they are set up to help. There is alot of issues

Anonymous said...

We are looking for anyone who has had legal issues with Farely & Pizzio after being appointed to gaurdianship. Please respond ASAP.
You mean Piazza? Who are "we"? what info are you looking for and why?

Anonymous said...

As a Christian, I pray that Gayla Ross will stop blaming others for her actions. Farley and Piazza were appointed by a court to oversee the mother's affairs after the damage was done. Anything Farley may have done in an unrelated case is not the issue. Appeals courts will not look at actions that occurred after the conviction of Mrs. Ross. This is a smoke screen to cover up Gayla's guilt. Their are no fruits to what Gayla Ross did to her mother.

Anonymous said...

As a Christian, I pray that Gayla Ross will stop blaming others for her actions. Farley and Piazza were appointed by a court to oversee the mother's affairs after the damage was done. Anything Farley may have done in an unrelated case is not the issue. Appeals courts will not look at actions that occurred after the conviction of Mrs. Ross. This is a smoke screen to cover up Gayla's guilt. Their are no fruits to what Gayla Ross did to her mother.

Anonymous said...

I have some updated information and would like to speak to you. Please call me at 425 877-0974 this is urgent.

Anonymous said...

Please contact me as I have info for you on this.

Anonymous said...

I have info for you that is urgent. Please contact me. 425 877-0974