Widow's Guardian Sues Holocaust Center Over $1-Million 'Pledge'

Relentless harassment, intimidation and deception are how the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center sought to collect an "invalid" $1-million pledge from an incapacitated 89-year-old widow, according to a new lawsuit.

Ada Feingold, of Plantation, and her guardian, Zipora Geva, of Aventura, have had enough and are now asking the courts to intervene.

"We want to put an end to this," said attorney Rebecca Fischer, who represents Geva. "It has become clear that there's not going to be a resolution and rather than have this hanging over the ward's or guardian's heads we decided to take action."

The lawsuit asks that Feingold's alleged pledge be ruled "invalid and unenforceable for lack of a valid contract"; that the center be found negligent for improperly using the $260,000 Feingold did donate; and for the return of 13 paintings created by Feingold's late husband, Julian.

Filed Thursday in Broward Circuit Court, the suit requests a jury trial and damages in excess of $15,000.

Former state Sen. Steve Geller, who represents the center, said the lawsuit was news to him.

"Haven't seen it yet, don't know what's in it, can't comment on it," Geller said. "I'm very surprised about the lawsuit, because I was under the impression that things were being resolved in an amicable fashion."

At the hands of the center and its representatives, Feingold has "suffered monetary loss, mental anguish and psychological injury," the suit says.

In its quest for Feingold's money, the lawsuit says, the center and its representatives have asked Feingold for her credit card number and deducted $5,000 from the account, encouraged Feingold to alter her will and break the guardianship, and actively sought to alienate Feingold from her family and caregiver.

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Widow's Guardian Sues Holocaust Center Over $1-Million 'Pledge'