Friday, October 23, 2009

Update: Seidlin v Kasler

An 83-year-old neighbor of former Broward Circuit Judge Larry Seidlin contends he and his family exploited her frail state and swindled the millionaire out of several hundred thousand dollars in real estate, furniture, electronics and school tuition.

In an unusual legal twist, Barbara Kasler now is trying to prevent Seidlin from complaining she was abused or exploited by others to law enforcement or the state Department of Children and Families, which already has cleared him of an elder exploitation allegation.

Broward Circuit Judge Thomas Lynch convened an emergency hearing last week on Kasler's motion to enjoin Seidlin, his wife, his in-laws and their attorneys from lodging abuse complaints involving her after DCF and Fort Lauderdale police twice responded to tips that she was receiving inadequate medical and nutritional care.

In court documents, Kasler's attorney, Bill Scherer, claims the only harm his client is facing is from frivolous abuse reports and the subsequent investigations.

"Further intrusion and questioning of Ms. Kasler by DCF and law enforcement would be traumatic to her health and physical well-being" and could "lead to a panic and stress-induced death," Scherer of Conrad & Scherer in Fort Lauderdale wrote in an Oct. 11 motion, citing concerns raised by the woman's psychiatrist.

Kasler suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and end-stage Parkinson's disease, which can be accompanied by dementia. Her ex-husband and children are dead. Two distant relatives are now her caretakers.

Kasler's one-time attorney, Robert Bissonnette, filed an emergency guardianship petition in July in probate court, claiming he was wrongfully discharged and Kasler was being unduly influenced by her caretakers.

In another court, Kasler's civil exploitation case filed in June against Seidlin, his wife Belinda and his in-laws alleges the former probate judge preyed on her vulnerability. Kasler and Seidlin live in Marine Tower on Las Olas Boulevard. The lawsuit contends Seidlin began introducing himself as Kasler's son and wearing diamond and gold jewelry that belonged to her dead sons within six months of befriending her.

Full Article and Source:
Judge From Anna Nicole Smith Case Caught Up in Elder Abuse Claims

See Also:
Rank Greed
Elderly Sues Judge Seidlin

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Reading the story, Seidlin sounds like a real scum - and that was a judge!

Anonymous said...

Keep coming at him, Kasler!

StandUp said...

I think this is a case of the brethern taking care of the brethern, so I am glad to see Kasler still hanging in there for justice.

Anonymous said...

You've got to admit, Ms. Kasler has a lot of spunk!

Kit said...

The public knows the truth and the truth here will not be covered up.

Anonymous said...

I think eventually Kasler will prevail.

She sure has determination.

Anonymous said...

Seidlin showed his colors previously during the Anna Nicole case, wanting his own show. He, as many other attorneys and guardians, are only looking out for themselves and their deep pockets.
Thank you, Ms. Kasler. Keep up the good fight!