Many people move to Arizona for the weather and recreation because it's considered a haven for retirees who want to live out their golden years. But something else is happening here - something haunting.For Clair's mom, Gloria Horrigan, it was a nightmare. Clair said her mother was taken to a nursing home against her will and not allowed visitors, not even family.
It was a struggle for Robert Brown to bring his wife, Rosemary, home. She was also taken and within a matter of weeks, the family wasn't allowed to see her either.
What happened in both cases started in a Maricopa County Courtroom - right in front of a judge.
The court approved a guardian in both cases. And both times, the guardian was Sun Valley Group of Tempe. Their website states they offer "support for client's physical, social, emotional and mental health." As part of their service, Sun Valley Group also took care of Gloria's personal finances.
But Clair said her mom did not get proper medical treatment and her bills weren't paid. Gloria's house went into foreclosure. “I’m physically sick from seeing what they've done to my mother. My family, my children, everyone has been affected by this,” said Clair.
Rosemary had a similar story. She was depressed and refused medical care. But Robert said under the company's care, she never did, so now family friend and doctor, Marge Butler, is Rosemary's guardian. “The bills were now coming at a ferried pace,” said Marge. In total, Marge said the family spent over a $100,000. That was for just four months of Sun Valley Group's care. It ended when the nursing home thought Rosemary was dying. They finally allowed the family to see her.
As for Gloria, Clair said the company seemed much more interested in her mom's money than her health. Gloria's final bill was just under $500,000 and included charges for an employee to open her mail at $75 an hour. “They are supposed to be her guardian and are supposed to be like her parents and look out for her best interests,” said Clair.
After repeatedly being turned down for an on camera interview, The ABC15 Investigators went to Sun Valley Group's office. They asked us to leave. We then caught up with the owner of Sun Valley, Peter Frenette, at a county courthouse. He was leaving a probate hearing involving fees from a different case. Even after several questions, Frenette would not comment.
The ABC15 Investigators have found more issues plaguing Sun Valley Group. Frenette's wife, Heather, is co-owner, but she is being investigated by the Arizona nursing board. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Organized Crime Unit is also investigating Sun Valley Group. By state law, both investigations are secret.
We also discovered three multi-million dollar lawsuits filed this year against the company for fraud and racketeering. Grant Goodman is the attorney for three former Sun Valley Group clients. “It's more of a criminal enterprise,” said Goodman, “They need to be prosecuted.” He claimed to find a pattern with these cases. “They effectively medicate them to such an extent that they really are non-functional,” said Goodman, “And they do that while they're liquidating their assets.”
The three lawsuits also blame probate court. “The mob isn't this efficient, nor does the mob have the luxury of having a court rubberstamp these proceedings,” said Goodman.
Goodman is not the only one who thinks that way. Last month, the Arizona Supreme Court issued an Administrative Order to investigate probate court. One of the issues is regulating fees.
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Guardianship in Arizona: Elder Care of Elder Abuse?
I guess the family should now hire private investigators and more attorneys because the United States Government Law Enforcement agencies and State Agencies are at Dunkin Donuts looking the other way ............ we are starting a new feed of business for private investigators.
ReplyDeleteAfter all the victims are too dumb to be able to tell law enforcement what is going on.
Law enforcement says break it down into small pieces because they can not understand because it's complicated (code word we get paid whether we help the victims or not). It's much like the mess off Texas with oil gushing all over our waterways ------ there were problems and people looked the other way. Everyone looked the other way and well now alot of people who did not care will be able to sit on beach and be reminded that our government oversight agencies failed the American people once again. Wait until the cancer starts to show up in areas because of the oil in the waterways. Look at all the wildlife that will die. No problem, until it hits their families.
Do you think crooks are going to make it straight forward?
One of the criteria for being in law enforcement investigative units is that people should be very good with the complex.
Maybe victims of the Guardianship abuse and their families should be paid by the government to enforce the laws not non caring agencies that look the other way.
Wake up America you could be next,
if you think you are going to retire, well the predators have a Retirement community for you ......
a United States sanctioned care facility who will isolate, medicate and throw away the key.
For get your memories of family and fun.
Of course, not all guardianship is bad. But, when it is, it's really bad. Elder abuse for sure.
ReplyDeleteThere are many victims in AZ and that points to elder abuse.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this article. People need to be educated so they can protect themselves.
ReplyDeleteSun Valley Group should be shut down!
ReplyDeleteArizona is getting to be as bad as Florida. Drive around instead of through.
ReplyDeleteIt's about time the top courts began to look at what is being done in the name of "justice."
ReplyDelete