The family of a Brooklyn judge has slapped a Park Slope nursing home with a multimillion-dollar lawsuit charging that shoddy treatment led to his death.The $10 million suit alleges the Prospect Park Residence - where Judge John Phillips lived for eight months until his death two years ago - refused to give him a diabetic menu and frequently missed giving him required insulin shots.
"He had diabetes that was supposed to be controlled," said lawyer John O'Hara, also a longtime friend of Phillips. "They kept screwing up. ... They killed him."
Phillips - known as the "Kung Fu judge" during his 17 years on the Civil Court bench for his habit of making martial arts moves in court - died at 83 in February 2008 after collapsing in a Prospect Park Residence elevator.
He had been declared mentally incompetent in 2001, a move some charged was politically motivated because he had announced plans to challenge Brooklyn District attorney Charles Hynes.
A series of court-appointed guardians allegedly squandered Phillips' assets, and he died owing more than $1.5 million in taxes and other debts.
Phillips' nephew, the Rev. Samuel Boykin, who is managing his estate, said he noticed signs of trouble soon after Phillips moved into the Prospect Park West nursing home.
"Looking at him, you could tell his health was going downhill fast," he said. "I was afraid that his life was in danger."
He insisted poor care - not just advancing age - led to Phillips' decline, noting the judge was "a health fanatic."
"My uncle was a 10th-degree black belt in Asiatic martial arts," he said. "He never drank. He never smoked cigarettes. He went to bed every night at 8 o'clock.
"The justice system that he served let him down. It's been devastating."
Full Article and Source:
Family of 'Kung Fu Judge' John Phillips Sues Nursing Home Over Death, Allege Missed Insulin Shots
Contact John O'Hara: OHara007@comcast.net
See Also: FreeJohnOHara
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Even a Judge is not Safe
It is such a great post! very nice to read it. thanks for the sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!
ReplyDeleteThe Judge John Phillips case exemplifies all that is wrong about guardianship - the devestation - the torture - and that it can happen to anybody. Even a judge. Pretty scary, huh?
ReplyDeleteI am praying for this family's success!
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to the guardians who squandered/stole Phillips's money? Were they criminally prosecuted?
ReplyDeleteWho ate the tax bill? You and me, that's who! And why? Phillips had enough money to live in a five star hotel for the remainder of his days and pay all his expenses, including his taxes.
ReplyDeleteBut, no, greed succeeded.
NY should be so very embarrassed by this case!
Sharing to FaceBook, boys!
ReplyDeletei hope this is the first of many suits filed by this family. what was done to this man is unconsionable.
ReplyDeleteDoes the guardians bear any responsibility for the acts of the nursing home?
ReplyDeleteIf the guardian forced him into the nursing home where he was neglected, then I would think the guardians would share some of that blame.
I remember this case so well. And hats off to the "Free Judge Phillips" movement for their dedication and efforts for him. If a guardian can guardianize a judge and take everything he has and isolate him from the outside world, well, that really shows that no one is safe.
ReplyDeleteread the story of Mary Todd Lincoln, President Lincoln's wife.
ReplyDeleteSame story different day
Sue those scumbags for all you can - the Slave Theaters should be landmarks!
ReplyDeleteTo the family, don't feel alone, we have all been left down by the 'system' except it isn't a system anymore it is now a business, an organized racket, untouchable and totally corrupt that has been instrumental and decisive in destroying many lives.
ReplyDeletenow that's good news go get 'em!
ReplyDeleteSuch a large amount of money! It is unbelievable that one guardian after another would abscond with the Judges funds! And so blantantly, even when they were being investigated (supposedly). This is one empathtic reason that guardian's file need oversight - and from a disinterested party!
ReplyDeletesGuardianship motto:
ReplyDeleteIsolate, Medicate, Take the Estate.
The problem is that no one in the court system has accountability. My parents taught me that when you go camping, you leave the area exactly, or better, than the way you found it. If you borrow something from another person and you break it, you get it fixed or buy them a new one. Accountability. Each person is responsible for the results of their actions. Luckily, most of the time you are able to clean up a campsite, or repair or replace a broken item. But how do you make it up to someone whose life and liberty are wrongfully taken away. Our most valuable possession, time, can not be replaced once it is lost, and each day we have less and less of it. To guardianize someone is to steal their life away.
ReplyDeleteThe justice system he served let him down and others repeatedly. This is happening all over the country no one is safe. There appears to be no accountability for the guardians as the elders are robbed on a regular basis. Don't think your safe, you're not!
ReplyDeleteThank you for handling this suit for the family of John Phillips, Mr. O'Hara.
ReplyDeleteI heard there's a movie being done about what was done to Judge Phillips.
ReplyDeleteIt turns my stomach to think of what he went through and what thousands continue to go through ... all for greed.
I agree that the guardians should be held accountable, they should have to pay also...it would save NYS tax payers who are already in the hole bundles.
ReplyDeleteWho wants to pay their salary for the abuse, neglect, isolation, inadquate care that your loved recieves. That is too sick to think about.
Makes me puke that we are paying for this...and most of us sit by and watch...do nothing....when is america going to start saying NO MORE...WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH..
Who needs them when you have loved ones that want to care for them but deemed by a judge NO.
It is a racket. They are all in it for the money..
I hope you win...you can come further south in NY and take on my case. contact NASGA. We have plenty here in the northern and southern tier.
Go get them Mr. O'Hare
The perps even strip all rights and assets of their own to retaliate and fatten their wallets.
ReplyDeleteLet the judge John Phillips story serve as a warning to everybody. Let his memory not be forgotten.
ReplyDelete