Al Katz, Part Three: There's no Room for Common Sense in the Eyes of Government Regulation

Our meeting began with a review of the case beginning with a large, laminated photo array of pictures resembling large dinner placemats. They documented the deteriorating condition of Beverly’s father during the last year of his life while under the care of various court appointed guardians. The photos and associated legal documents were presented to the Joint Legislative Committee of Congressional District 13, composed of both Florida Senate and House Representatives on January 18,2011 in Manatee County. Beverly was on the Agenda for 5 minutes to present her case on the series of events discussing what she classified as senior abuse and financial abuse permitted under the Guardianship provisions of the law. She also presented a packet of information she prepared suggesting changes in the laws and regulations as they relate to administering senior care.

Later that day, I followed up with State House Representative Ray Pilon, a member of the Joint Committee, from House District 69 which covers North Sarasota County and a small portion of Manatee County, where Al Katz maintained a condo and later died. Representative Pilon related that the forum is designed for citizens to present situations of concern and to give and receive information. Based on the information I heard, it appears to be a joint-legislator Town Hall Meeting. Beverly stated that Chairman Mike Bennett, State Senator from her father’s district, spoke with her briefly after the session stating he would follow up on her situation.

Without repeating events from past articles, I will relay one example, out of many I heard, that is representative of situations and activities that might be legal, but lack common sense and lead to suspicion of doubt and impropriety. Through our discussion I discovered that under high paid court appointed supervision, Al Katz’ personal effects inexplicably disappeared. His estate included cash assets, income, a house in Indiana, a condo in Bradenton, and an old Ford Escort that once resided in a parking stall at the condo. A guardian was court appointed to maintain and manage the assets.

Under the terms of guardianship it seems that management activities come with heavy cost.

[Beverly] further mentioned that while embroiled in all the drama caused by lawyers and court appointed managers, no one has ever filed a tax return in Indiana, Florida, or with the IRS. It is surmised that paying taxes would drain the funds needed to pay the fees of those who are mismanaging the Katz estate.

Full Article and Source:
Al Katz, The Story of a Holocaust Survivor, Part 3