A bill providing new protections for our most vulnerable citizens arrived on Gov. Rick Scott’s desk Thursday.
The protections were inspired by an ABC Action News I-Team investigation.
The law, which is expected to receive the governor’s signature at any time, affects tens of thousands of Floridians who have lost their rights and have court-appointed professional guardians.
Sen. Jeff Brandes sponsored the bill after learning about Willi Berchau.
We first reported last September that Berchau, 99 years old at the time, was in a locked-down unit for Alzheimer’s Disease patients even though he didn't belong there.
After we got involved, he was moved out of the unit and eventually had all his rights restored by the court.
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Law inspired by I-Team investigation arrives on governor's desk
9 comments:
Thank you, Adam Walser and Sen. Brandes.
It all starts with legal fees and conflicts of interest among the lawyers.
I hope it passes!
I thank you too Adam. I ask you to continue investigating Pinellas County's corrupt probate court system
Especially Judge Jack St. Arnold and professional guardian, Teri St. Hilaire. Also, the owner of Curlew Care home, Audra Ackerman in Dunedin, Fl. There is an ongoing scandal here that needs to be uncovered. My once fiancée Patricia Smith was legally/lawlessly kidnapped 2 years ago based on lies and false allegations by APS's Cathy Christmas. The World needs to know these crimes in human trafficking are really happening. They tried more than once to eliminate me because I can prove much of what I say.
These predatory human thieves can take all the money they want, but don't take the the person too!!!
Thank you Adam Walser and Sen. Brandes! There is much more work and exposure that needs to happen to change this buddy, buddy system for profit! They are destroying Floridan's lives and families! They should be investigated and put in Jail for abuse for profit!
IG in Pinellas County told the Pinellas Guardianship Association in their June 2014 publication that this law will not change anything! He is probably right!Florida laws need to change. Florida Courts need to change!
Well it all sounds good and surely I hope it is but WHY do Clerks turn a blind eye to even the numerical errors? In the case referenced below, the Clerk was notified by family that the Professional Guardians accounting was not accurate... even provided copies of the receipt showing the inaccuracies but the Accounting was approved by the Clerk anyway. I wonder if there is a personal interest by some Clerks... is it possible?
Our real life story:
Rita Denmark was a divorcee in excellent physical health with mild/moderate dementia. Denmark domiciled and resided in Pennsylvania, she was registered and voted in Pennsylvania, she had a Pennsylvania prescription drug plan and a Pennsylvania Workers Compensation insurance policy for her personal care companions (all of which she had known for years). Denmark had her Advance Directives in place and she had a long term relationship with a favorite, local banker and an accounting advisor both of whom had assisted Denmark with her financial affairs for many, many years. Rita Denmark had everything was in place to enjoy her Golden Years with her family and friends when she took a "life changing" vacation to Florida with one of her daughters.
Just DAYS after their Florida arrival a dispute between Denmark’s children ensued causing them to reach out for legal direction. Denmark’s daughter was assured that the quickest, easiest and least expensive way to get the problem resolved and to get their mother back to her home in Pennsylvania was to allow AND assist Professional Guardian, Jetta L. Getty (owner of Young at Heart Elderly Services) to sort out the disputed facts and report back to the court within 90 days as required.
Jetta Getty promptly placed Denmark in a Port Orange, FL Assisted Living Facility (Summerville now called Emeritus of Port Orange) and Getty put Rita’s daughter, the vacationing companion, onto an airplane sending her back home to PA assuring her and other family members that Rita would be home soon.
Rita's daughters now believe that Getty’s motive was to get that daughter out of her way & hoodwink other family members long enough to get the court behind her then, she began the process of enriching herself, converting Rita Denmark's approx. $470,000.00 estate into fees for herself, her attorney and other business associates, including another Professional Guardian, Edith Myett who has sense been arrested!
In less than 5 years Getty has paid herself $93,932.75 [11/28/2007 - 08/03/2012].
The documentation in the Volusia County FL Court record shows very specifically that Jetta Getty CHANGED Rita Denmark's address. The Volusia County Court record also shows that several attorneys and the guardian, AKA "Officer's of the Court" knew, or should have known, that Denmark was a vulnerable senior and was a PA resident being moved by Getty. These Officer’s of the Court were ALL paid (by Getty) from Rita Denmark's approximate $470,000.00 estate. It took approx. 3 ½ years to finally obtain the documented proof that NOT ONE of those “Officer’s of the Court” ever told the Judge that Denmark was a Pennsylvania resident and domicile. This FL court record is chocked full of deceit and omissions by Getty through her attorney and others.
We have reason to belief that Denmark’s entire estate has been plundered and converted into fees. We believe that Denmark is now supported by Floridians HARD EARNED tax dollars even though her family wants her home and to care for her.
WHO guards the guardian? NO ONE!!
Thank you for taking the time to read this, “to the best of my knowledge and belief,” real life story.
For more information or to inquire about supporting “public record” documentation, contact hlpeffer@yahoo.com or Info@StopGuardianAbuse.org
This is happening in Knoxville, Tennessee through a group of assisted living homes known as the Courtyards. My mother-in-law was put in the orchards against her will under a POA and held in lock-up until her son tried to get her out and then her granddaughter filed an emergency conservatorship. She had been stealing her money after the death of her husband and has tied her assets up under this conservatorship and kept her locked up. This is a real evil outfit. They own 3 assisted living homes in Tennessee and two in Florida near Tampa, St. Petersburg. Have you had other complaints on them?
If only there were more I-Teams in the United States. It's rare when the media covers this problem.
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