This is the fifth chapter in the epic saga of an elderly man whose property was taken, he was legally confined (imprisoned), and abused by the state of Florida's public guardianship and court systems. It is a story that is not unusual.Many of you do not think about any state, let alone Florida, abusing our elders. Some look to government as the be all and end all to care for us when we grow old and to protect us in our waning years. That is a dangerous and in some cases deadly belief.
Government in the case of Al Katz was the abuser.
I believe that the role of government in a person’s life must be limited. Personal freedoms and property rights are to be protected at all cost. In the case of Al both of these sacred duties of government were violated to perhaps the point of criminality on the part of some individuals. Al’s freedom and property were taken by the State of Florida, in some cases questionably, for the aggrandizement of the state, not the individual or family. What is shocking is officers of the court and judges had full knowledge of this “taking” and either did nothing about it or by their actions facilitated it.
How did this happen, you may ask?
It is quite simple – Florida had an opportunity to gain control over Al, the man, and his property. Florida refused to relinquish control of either back to the family, even though there was a daughter willing to care for her father and manage his estate for the betterment of his heirs. Rather than giving Al back to his family at the earliest opportunity, as required by Florida statutes, government did everything in its power to keep him and his property. Only after a prolonged legal fight was Al, the man, finally released to his daughter. The guardianship is still in the state’s hands, seven months after Al passed away.
Full Article and Source:
Al Katz: The Story of a Holocaust Survivor,Part 5
See Also:
Beverly Newman's Baker Act Presentation to the Florida Delegation, January 2011
Concurrent House Resolution 323 (2010) Recognizing Need for Holocaust Survivors to Avoid Institution
Al Katz,Part Four: Final Legal Solution
7 comments:
Floridians think their state is the most corrupt.
I've got news for you: It ain't just Florida!
You're right, Thelma. It's all over, but Florida should really be concerned since the state depends on seniors wintering there. The tourist trade could suffer because they won't get on the stick and fix this mess.
Guardianship abuse IS elder abuse!
What I especially liked about this series is the reporter included the documents so one can see for oneself.
This story makes me want to cry.
Thank you, NASGA. I read the other parts of this series with utter disgust. Poor Mr. Katz and his family. It sickens me.
You're right, StandUp. Let's hope the State of Florida is reading this blog because the Katz story isn't the only one, unfortunately. And NASGA won't stop until the abuse stops!
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