Press Release:
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FORMER PROFESSIONAL GUARDIAN WHO ALLEGEDLY STOLE MORE THAN $540,000 FROM AN ELDERLY MAN IN PINELLAS COUNTY, IS NOW SUING A DAUGHTER OF A WARD FOR OVER $160,000, CLAIMING LIBEL & SLANDER
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Traci Samuel, also known as, Traci Hudson, was recently investigated and arrested for exploiting an elderly man of over $500,000. She was booked into the Pinellas County jail and later released after posting $250,000 bail back in 2019. Elderly rights activist, Lesa Martino, and daughter of a current ward has been vocal about her experiences with Traci Samuel as it pertains to her own father. However, Traci Samuel has now decided to personally sue Ms. Martino for over $160,000 plus over $80,000 in attorney fees, claiming libel and slander. Traci Samuel was able to get a judgement to auction off Ms. Martino’s home which is expected in January 2021. Judges Daryl Manning and Emily Peacock were involved with signing the orders against Ms. Martino. Ms. Martino is disgusted with what Traci Samuel is now doing to her for simply trying to bring awareness to a major problem that involved Traci Samuel. She plans to continue to fight against the recent judgments and continue to advocate for those wrongfully exploiting the elderly.
407-371-7855
leslie@leslieannlaw.com
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What were the damages? Since her arrest, Traci Samuel Hudson has not had a guardianship practice. Hudson’s reputation has been seriously damaged by the news stories related to her arrest. (Yeah, she’s innocent until proven guilty, but legal guilt and reputation are two different things. You can be innocent and have a lousy reputation.) Her alleged errors of omission in managing the Genyte Dirse estate have also been reported in the news. Even if Hudson could demonstrate slander (which would require her to prove that Martino made a false statement about her), she would then have to demonstrate a financial loss due to the alleged slander in order to receive an award. I am puzzled about how anyone can cause financial damage to a defunct business. I am also wondering how much more you can damage Hudson’s future employment prospects. A Google background check would sink her application for any position of responsibility. A $160K award seems excessive.
ReplyDeleteHILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TAMPA FL CASES: 18CA5020
ReplyDeleteGUARDIANSHIP CASE 16CP3532
PINELLAS COUNTY CASES: ARREST 19-13778-CF TRACI SAMUEL HUDSON
GUARDIANSHIP CASE PINELLAS 19-11896-GD
CASE 20-2092-CI
19-284 Economic Crimes Detectives Arrest Professional Guardian for Exploitation Of An Elderly Person While Acting As A Power Of Attorney
Economic Crimes Arrest
Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Economic Crimes Unit
Traci Hudson (Samuel) (Arrested)
Business: Owner of Florida Guardianship Services, Inc.
DOB: 03/19/1968
Address: 10834 Charmwood Drive in Riverview Florida
Charges: Exploitation of an Elderly Person over $50,000
What:
Detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit have arrested 51-year-old Traci Hudson, after a complex investigation which determined Hudson was exploiting an elderly person by transferring large sums of money to her accounts for personal gain.
When:
The investigation began in November, 2018.
The suspect was arrested at approximately 2:29 p.m., on Thursday, November 14, 2019.
Where:
The investigation was conducted in Pinellas County.
Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit have arrested 51-year-old Traci Hudson, after a complex investigation which determined Hudson was exploiting an elderly person by transferring large sums of money to her accounts for personal gain.
According to detectives, their investigation began in November, 2018 after the Florida Department of Children and Families, Adult Protection Division (APID) forwarded a tip to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
In November of 2017, Traci Hudson was introduced to the victim, 92-year-old Maurice Myers after the death of his daughter, who had been taking care of Myers’ finances. The introduction was made by people who knew Hudson was a professional guardian and she worked with court appointed wards.
Hudson is self-employed as the business owner of Florida Guardianship Services, Inc. She is listed also as the President of the Guardian Association of Pinellas County per the Florida Department of Corporations website. In addition, Hudson is listed on the Guardian Association of Pinellas County newsletter as Board of Directors, President as recent as October of 2019.
Detectives say after the introduction, Hudson through her Power of Attorney also became the court appointed personal representative for Myers’ daughter’s estate.
Myers passed away in October of 2018 with no next of kin.
Although Hudson worked as a professional guardian since 2016, she was not a court appointed guardian for Myers. Therefore, none of her financial transfers and expenses were monitored by the courts.
Detectives found over the course of eleven months, a total of $541,541.12 was transferred from Myers account to accounts owned by Hudson.
Detectives presented the case to the Pinellas/Pasco State Attorney’s Office and a warrant was issued for Hudson on one count of Exploitation of an Elderly Person over $50,000, a first degree felony.
On November 14, 2019, at approximately 2:29 p.m., Traci Hudson was taken into custody by deputies, on a warrant issued by the State’s Attorney’s Office with a bond amount of $250,000. Hudson was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident
The investigation continues.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY CASE 18CA5020
ReplyDeleteSamuel never proved financial loss in the case. Perjury in the Verified Complaint was proven but ignored. The judges are involved in a criminal conspiracy with Traci Samuel Hudson, attorneys Matthew Weidner and John Hayter with glaring evidence of corruption. Martino never had a chance to testify in a Summary Judgment hearing since no notice was given of the hearing and the Judgment was not mailed to her. No due process with the conspiracy to steal. The judges Daryl Manning and Emily Peacock have violated Judicial canons of conduct. The case is all about retaliating against a whistleblower who has been exposing the corruption.