State confirms mass resignations at Florida watchdog office overseeing guardianship abuse

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The I-Team has uncovered mass resignations at the state watchdog assigned to investigate guardianship abuse — news that comes in the wake of a criminal investigation into a former guardian accused of killing a man under her care.

Seven employees at the Office of Public & Professional Guardians have resigned since April, according to records obtained by I-Team Investigator Adam Walser.

The majority of those resignations came after an I-Team report in July about embattled former professional guardian Rebecca Fierle, who is under criminal investigation for accusations she caused the death of a man under her care by issuing a "Do Not Resuscitate" order without permission.

Last month, the Department of Elder Affairs confirmed the resignation of Carol Berkowitz, the former director of OPPG who departed on July 12 — the same day as the I-Team’s report on Fierle.

But when the I-Team asked about other resignations, a department spokeswoman denied there had been mass departures from the office.

At the time, Elder Affairs spokeswoman Ashley Chambers told an ABC Action News reporter for the Tallahassee bureau that concerns about resignations were rumors.

But three weeks later — after the I-Team requested all resignation letters — Chambers confirmed the mass departures late Friday afternoon.

Internal agency records show Deputy Director Amelia Milton, Senior Staff Attorney Michael McKeon, the statewide public guardian manager, a guardian registrar and staff assistants also resigned from their positions

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State confirms mass resignations at Florida watchdog office overseeing guardianship abuse