Near the end of her 88 years, Mary Ellen Bendtsen, a fading celebrity whose landmark mansion had been a jewel of Dallas real estate, put her trust in two younger friends she called "the boys." The men, Mark McCay and Justin Burgess, brought a fourth party to the relationship: their lawyer.
Attorney Edwin Olsen took Bendtsen on as a client. At the end of her life, he helped her grant power of attorney to McCay and Burgess and sign a will making them beneficiaries.
Her family says "the boys'" relationship with Bendtsen was all designed to get her share of the almost $1 million home. The men, meanwhile, say that they were simply honoring their dying friend's wishes.
After Bendtsen's death, a grand jury would weigh in on the case, indicting Olsen, McCay and Burgess for attempted theft.
Central to the court case may be videos the trio made of an aged, ailing Bendtsen signing legal documents under Olsen's supervision.
Full Article and Source:
A Lawyer's Work: Dying Woman Signs Over Mansion
See Video:
'Mary Ellen's Mansion': Friendly Care -- or Con??
Note: The Dallas Morning News published a four-part series in August of 2006, by reporter Lee Hancock, titled "Mary Ellen's Will: The Battle for 4949 Swiss"
For information on that series and updates: Reader's Respond to 4949 Swiss Project
Many years ago, a lawyer for whom I worked took me to the hospital to notarize a document for a client of his. When I realized what it was - like Mary Ellen's story - I walked out and quit the job! Never knew that side of the man, who was not in need of $$$!
ReplyDeleteI saw this report on 20/20. The "boys" reminded me of nervous monkeys with their eyes flashing at the thought of what they were about to get.
ReplyDeleteTwo things struck me about the report, though.
The question was -- Was Mary Ellen competent when she signed the new will and DPoA practically on her deathbed?
Well she very well could have been fully competent. Anybody can be conned or "groomed" into doing something they wouldn't ordinarily do. Because she was old, we assumed she was incompetent? That may not be a fair assessment at all.
And second, I wonder why her family let the mansion go into such disrepair.
"The boys" are predators.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see 20/20 doing a segment on this case. It truly is fascinating and a warning to all.
ReplyDeleteI have sent relevant material by e-mail to Andrew.Paparella@abc.com. This material includes information about the forensic protocols which I have advocated to others, including the Ohio Elder Abuse Commission (OEBC) at its September 21st meeting. These protocols would specifically address the situation recorded in the video which was played this 20/20 report. Will ABC report this material? Will anyone other than the Commission, which to its credit has posted some of this material on its website along with the minutes of its September 21st meeting.
ReplyDeleteI hope ABC will act upon the material you sent them, tvfields
ReplyDeletethis video of the vultures waiting for the deathbed victimm to put her pen to paper in front of her and move the pen around reminds me of lawyers, GAL's and soon to be guardians watching the judge grant petition for emergency or permanent guardianship in a matter of minutes declaring another a victim with assets a ward in my opinion just close your eyes and shazam
ReplyDeletego from hospital bed to courtroom scene vultures are vultures eyes wide open picking the flesh off their prey dead or alive for one purpose = $