15 elderly victims rescued from 'house of horrors,' Clayton County man charged

By Eric Mock

Arrest in Clayton County 'house of horrors'
Earlier this month, Clayton County police arrested a man accused of running an unlicensed care-home in filthy conditions.

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. - Police in Clayton County are investigating an unlicensed care home after it was discovered that a man had been keeping 15 adults in deplorable conditions. 

Gabriel Robinson, 51, was arrested during a welfare check by a social worker at the home located at 336 Sir Richard Court early this month. The Clayton County Police Department arrived, and soon other local and state agencies joined the investigation. 

Robinson faces 15 counts of neglect and exploitation of the elderly. The North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force advises more victims could be out there, which could lead to more charges.  

"It's early in the investigation, but they're saying that his criminal history and government records are showing this is not the first time he's run this sort of a facility…this case may, may rise even one step further to human trafficking," said former Marietta Police Chief Dan Flynn, who now heads the North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force. 

Flynn says that Robinson’s charges could be upgraded if evidence supporting them was found. He would also face more legal troubles if he profited from those victims. 

"It's not an exaggeration to call this a house of horrors," said Dan Flynn with the North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force. 

According to the Clayton County Police Department, 15 at-risk adults were living in horrible conditions, which include bedbug infestation and untreated infections. 

"Some of them had to be taken on an emergency level right to the hospital," Flynn said. 

Jail records indicate Robinson posted bail on Thursday. 

Elder care abuse and neglect: How to protect your loved one 

Flynn says that victims can easily be trapped in a situation like this. He is working to ensure that more families avoid similar situations. 

"Shows us all how easily those things that abuse and exploitation can occur," Flynn said. 

He says, unfortunately, it can be all too easy for the elderly and those at-risk to be put into a home like this. 

"There are many places where hospitals and churches and other places, they keep directories of personal care, homes to which to refer people. And they don't often check to make sure that they're licensed and sanitary or whatnot," Flynn said. 

He suggests when getting a referral for a care home, even from a hospital or church, make sure to do research and make sure the home is licensed. 

To learn more about personal care homes, how to check for licenses, or to file a complaint, visit the Georgia Department of Community Health’s website. 

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15 elderly victims rescued from 'house of horrors,' Clayton County man charged

FRANK'S FIGHT American Pickers’ Frank Fritz relies on ‘long-term nursing care’ after stroke as conservator demands access to his funds

by Teresa Roca, Senior Exclusives Reporter & Assistant Entertainment Editor

AMERICAN Pickers star Frank Fritz has been relying on “skilled nursing care” that will be “long-term” two years after he suffered a debilitating stroke. 

Frank, 60, has been under a conservatorship and guardianship since he suffered a stroke at his Le Claire, Iowa home in July 2022, as he has been in and out of the hospital and rehabilitation. 

Frank Fritz, posing in front of his motorcycle collection, needs 'long-term nursing care'Credit: Coleman-Rayner

Frank Fritz, who was a fan-favorite on American Pickers, suffered a stroke in July 2022Credit: American Pickers / History Channel

MidWestOne Bank is Frank’s conservator, as his close friend Chris Davis is his guardian. 

The U.S. Sun can exclusively MidWestOne bank is demanding Frank’s finances be transferred to them, as the star will continue to need “skilled” and “long-term” nursing care. 

Court papers from the conservatorship case obtained by The U.S. Sun reveal Frank has “cash assets and credit accounts” at a separate bank. 

The Conservator’s Initial Plan filed in November 2022 stated the assets would be transferred to MidWestOne, as they could “invest to start generating income” to Frank.

“Since the approval of the plan, the Conservator has repeatedly contacted [the bank] seeking access to the Protected Party’s funds, credit card statements and income tax documents to no avail.”

The bank “repeatedly failed to respond to the Conservator” and “refused to provide access to Mr. Fritz’s assets and documentation, and otherwise ignored the Conservator’s authority, the orders of this court, and the laws of the state of Iowa.”

The court documents continued, “[Frank] continues to rely on long-term skilled nursing care, so it is imperative that his assets are properly managed and wisely invested to support his long-term needs.

“The Protected Party no longer has any need for consumer credit cards and any accounts that remain open are susceptible to fraud, especially since the Conservator is not allowed access to them to review charges.”

MidWestOne Bank requests, “The court should issue an order compelling [the bank] to release all of Frank Fritz’s funds to the Conservator, close all of Frank Fritz’s credit card accounts, provide the Conservator with Frank Fritz’s income tax documents for 2023, and change the mailing address for future income tax documents to the Conservator’s address.”

A hearing took place on July 19. 

The judge on the case ordered the bank to respond to the conservator and provide access to all bank accounts and credit cards held or controlled by Frank. 

Frank Fritz's Conservatorship

Frank Fritz was placed under a conservatorship in August 2022, just weeks after he suffered a stroke.

• Frank's conservator is MidWestOne Bank and is in charge of his finances
• The bank agreed to invest Frank's money and collections to generate income
• The guardian is his good friend Chris Davis
• Chris is responsible for helping Frank manage his Crohn's disease treatment, go to physical therapy, grocery shop, cook and more day-to-day tasks
• The conservatorship also agreed to help replenish Frank's Iowa antique store, Frank Fritz Finds
• A wheel-chair ramp and more have been installed in his Iowa home under the conservatorship

UNDER CONSERVATORSHIP

The U.S. Sun broke the news that the conservatorship was filed in August 2022. 

“Because of his stroke, Mr. Fritz’s decision­-making capacity is so impaired that he is unable to care for his own safety or to provide for necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, or medical care without which physical injury or illness may occur," documents obtained by The U.S. Sun read.

“Mr. Fritz’s decision­-making capacity is so impaired that he is unable to make, communicate, or carry out important decisions concerning his own financial affairs.”

“Decisions must be made for Mr. Fritz’s care and placement while he continues to recover and receive treatment for his injuries. 

“Appointment of a guardian and conservator is necessary to avoid immediate harm to him.”

The Guardian agreed to help Frank with his Crohn's disease treatment, as well as bring him to physical therapy and help him grocery shop, cook, and more.

As for the conservator, MidWestOne filed an Initial Plan that revealed Frank’s monthly expenses. 

The amount of $28,292 is spent a month on expenses and the majority of his budget totals $22,832 for “in-home health care.”

His annual healthcare total is $273,984.

Frank, seen on the History channel show American Pickers, has been 'improving daily'Credit: American Pickers on The History Channel/Facebook

'SAME OLD FRANK'

Frank has been in and out of rehabilitation after he was released from the hospital in September 2022. 

“Frank continues to improve daily. You’re never 100 percent after a stroke, but he’s fine. He’s aware of what’s going on," a friend of Frank’s previously told The U.S. Sun.

"If he were sitting here right now, you could sit and talk to him. He’s the same old Frank.”

Frank was wheelchair-bound after suffering the stroke. 

“He can walk, but he’s always going to need the wheelchair because he can’t walk long distances,” the pal shared. 

“Basically, you lose motion. He lost motion. A stroke can affect your left or your right side, it affected his right side.”

FINAL EPISODE

Frank last appeared on American Pickers during a March 2020 episode. 

He took time off to recover from back surgery, leaving him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine. 

During his time off the show, he entered rehab for alcohol addiction in Iowa for 77 days.

Frank had a falling out with his longtime friend and co-star Mike Wolfe, but the two reconciled after his stroke. 

American Pickers now stars Mike, Robbie Wolfe, Jon Szalay, and Danielle Colby. 

Frank, pictured with his former cast members, last appeared on American Pickers in 2020Credit: History Channel

Full Article & Source:
FRANK'S FIGHT American Pickers’ Frank Fritz relies on ‘long-term nursing care’ after stroke as conservator demands access to his funds

See Also:
Judge Rules On ‘American Pickers’ Frank Fritz Conservatorship

AMERICAN PICKERS STAR FRANK FRITZ'S JUDGE MAKES MAJOR RULING IN DEMAND TO SEAL HEALTH & FINANCIAL RECORDS AFTER STROKE

‘American Pickers’ Frank Fritz Conservatorship In Danger

RIGHT PATH American Pickers star Frank Fritz’s conservator files new financial plan as he recovers from debilitating stroke

American Pickers' Frank Fritz Still Under A Conservatorship, But There's Been An Update

PICKING PRIVACY American Pickers star Frank Fritz’s conservator begs judge to seal his financial records and location amid his recovery

CONSERVATOR CHAOS American Pickers star Frank Fritz’s conservator at risk of removal by judge after star suffers debilitating stroke

PAY UP American Pickers alum Frank Fritz’s conservatorship lawyer demands to be paid $2K for his services in tragic case

Frank Fritz, of 'American Pickers,' under guardianship after stroke

FRANK'S FATE American Pickers alum Frank Fritz’s judge makes major ruling in conservatorship case after star suffers from stroke

Burtchville Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling More than $86,000

July 23, 2024

LANSING – Yesterday, Lisa Marie Tramski, 57, of Burtchville, pled guilty in the 31st Circuit Court in St. Clair County to one count of Embezzlement of $50,000 or more, but less than $100,000, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Tramski embezzled more than $86,000 from an elderly woman after becoming her court-appointed guardian. Tramski will pay $51,600.75 in restitution prior to sentencing as part of the plea. 

Tramski, who was charged with three felony counts in February, was appointed in early 2018 as guardian for the victim, who died only weeks later. About a week before the death, Tramski had the victim sign a will leaving everything to Tramski. Despite knowing there were legal challenges to the will, Tramski proceeded to take $86,033.75 from the victim’s accounts. Ultimately, the probate court invalidated the will benefitting Tramski.  

“The plea secured today marks a significant step toward justice,” Nessel said. “My department will continue to pursue accountability for those who are unable to protect themselves and ensure perpetrators face consequences for their actions.” 

Tramski will be sentenced on Sept. 16th at 9:30 a.m. in front of Judge Daniel A. Damman in 31st Circuit Court in St. Clair County.

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Source:
Burtchville Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling More than $86,000

Rochester woman accused of transferring $75K to herself from dying senior’s accounts

By KAALTV

(ABC 6 News) – A Rochester woman appeared in Olmsted County Court Tuesday on two felony charges of financial exploitation.

Tracy Anne Volk, 60, is accused of using her position as Power of Attorney for a dying senior to transfer about $75,000 to accounts she controlled.

According to court documents, three individuals related to the senior made a Vulnerable Adult Maltreatment report after allegedly seeing “suspicious banking transactions” show up in the senior’s account while she stayed in hospice.

The witnesses told police they had seen transfers from accounts with their names and that of the senior into accounts controlled by the senior and Volk — ostensibly to be used for bills after the senior passed away.

However, Volk had refused to pay the senior’s outstanding medical and hospice bills — about $10,000 in total — as of February of 2024, according to court documents.

Rochester police reviewed the senior’s documents and noted that the senior specifically stated “I … do not authorize any of my attorneys in fact to make gifts to themselves.”

However, police found that in June of 2023, someone transferred $55,000, then $20,000 into the account shared by Volk and the senior.

“Volk later used Victim’s death certificate to remove Victim’s name from the account,” court documents read.

Volk is scheduled to appear for an omnibus hearing Oct. 1.

Full Article & Source:
Rochester woman accused of transferring $75K to herself from dying senior’s accounts

Conservators mess up when they do not understand their role. New Tennessee law fixes that

by Amy Bryant 

Casey, Kaine Introduce Bill to Strengthen Advocacy for Long-Term Care Residents

July 23, 2024

The Strengthening Advocacy for Long-Term Care Residents Act would bolster the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program

Long-Term Care Ombudsmen advocate for long-term care residents and monitor conditions and care within long-term care facilities

Casey has long been one of the Senate’s leading advocates for long-term care residents

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced the Strengthening Advocacy for Long-Term Care Residents Act to improve the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, which was established under the Older Americans Act. Local Ombudsman programs designate staff and trained volunteers as representatives to advocate for residents of nursing homes and other long-term care (LTC) facilities, providing residents and their families with confidential information and assistance and monitoring conditions and care within a facility. With a growing number of older adults residing in long-term care facilities, Ombudsman program staff and volunteers face challenges to ensuring residents receive the care they deserve and have their rights protected.

“Long-term care ombudsmen are vital to ensuring that residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities have advocates who can represent their interests and can push for better care and conditions,” said Senator Casey. “Senator Kaine and I are introducing this bill to strengthen the Ombudsman Program and ensure that it has the resources, leadership, and personnel to continue its critical work safeguarding the Nation’s residents of long-term care facilities.”

“Older Americans deserve to age with dignity, but sadly, we continue to see reports of abuses at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m introducing this legislation to strengthen the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program and help ensure that older Virginians and people with disabilities living in long-term care facilities continue to have trained professionals able to advocate for them, address their complaints, and help ensure they have access to safe, quality care.”

In 2023, nearly 5,400 Ombudsman program staff and volunteers conducted over 340,000 visits to long-term care facilities, assisting over 500,000 residents and their families.

The Strengthening Advocacy for Long-Term Care Residents Act would improve the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program by:

• Instructing the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to establish categories of duties for volunteers and appropriate training requirements for volunteers based on those categories. Training guidelines should reflect the diversity of volunteer contributions to the Ombudsman program. This will make it easier to recruit and retain more Ombudsman program volunteers and continue to ensure volunteers have the appropriate training they need.
• Reaffirming Congress’ intent that the Ombudsman program should be led by a full-time National Director. In 2019, reorganization under the Trump Administration resulted in the loss of this position. State and local ombudsmen have reported that the lack of a National Director impedes coordination and distracts from the mission of the program.
• Requiring the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) to study and issue a report with a recommendation for the number of ombudsmen per LTC facility bed. This would give states and ACL better insight into the current needs of the program. In 1995, the Institute of Medicine (now part of NASEM) released a report recommending a staffing ratio of one ombudsman per 2,000 beds for the Ombudsman program. This staffing ratio has not been updated in the nearly 30 years since and current data indicates that caseloads far exceed that threshold.

Senator Casey has long been one of the Senate’s strongest advocates for Americans in long-term care facilities. Earlier this Congress, Senator Casey released a report entitled, Uninspected and Neglected, which demonstrated the critical role Ombudsman program staff play in safeguarding nursing home residents. In addition, Senator Casey introduced the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act, a landmark piece of legislation that would invest billions of dollars in bolstering the LTC workforce, thus ensuring those providing care are fairly compensated and supported in the workplace. Senator Casey is also leading the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act this year and held a hearing in May 2024 to discuss reauthorization priorities, which include bolstering the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. The Connecticut State Ombudsman served as a witness at the hearing.

Read more about the Strengthening Advocacy for Long-Term Care Residents Act here.

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Source:
Casey, Kaine Introduce Bill to Strengthen Advocacy for Long-Term Care Residents

Nursing home owner who left 800 people in warehouse during Hurricane Ida avoids jail time

Bob Dean Jr gets probation after pleading no contest to counts of cruelty to infirmed people and healthcare fraud

By: Ramon Antonio Vargas

A Louisiana nursing home magnate who left 800 elderly residents to endure a potent hurricane inside a fetid warehouse has avoided prison time after choosing not to dispute the cruelty charges facing him.

Bob Dean Jr on Monday received three years of probation – along with about $2m in penalties, court costs and restitution – after pleading no contest to eight counts of cruelty to infirmed people, five of healthcare fraud and two of obstruction of justice.

An undated image provided by the Tangipahoa parish sheriff’s office of Bob Dean Jr. Photograph: AP

Dean entered his plea at a state courthouse in Amite City, Louisiana, about three years after several deaths during Hurricane Ida in 2021 were linked to the storage facility at the center of the case against him.

Louisiana’s state attorney general, Liz Murrill, said prosecutors had unsuccessfully asked Judge Brian Abels to sentence Dean to least five years imprisoned and not “only probation”. Abels technically handed Dean a 20-year prison sentence but deferred it in its entirety in favor of probation.

“Our prosecutors urged that Mr Dean be held accountable for his actions, which led to the deaths of numerous elderly individuals,” Murrill said in a statement. “I respect our judicial system and that the judge has the ultimate discretion over the appropriate sentence, but I remain of the opinion that Dean should be serving prison time.”

Abels said the 70-year-old Dean’s age, lack of prior criminal convictions and the amount he had to repay all factored into his sentence, according to a report from the CBS affiliate WWL Louisiana.

The outlet added that family members of people who died at the warehouse addressed Abels through tears Monday, saying they never got a chance to say goodbye to loved ones who were left to die at the facility.

Dean sent 843 residents of seven Louisiana nursing homes to a squalid, former pesticide plant in the town of Independence, about 70 miles (110km) north-west of New Orleans, to ride out Ida as the category 4 storm took aim at the region.

With winds of about 150 miles (241km) an hour, Ida caused widespread power outages and other devastation across south-east Louisiana in August 2021. Residents of Dean’s nursing homes were later found sleeping on mattresses atop a wet floor – without access to their medicines, sobbing and lying in their own feces.

Warehouse conditions devolved after the failure of generators meant to provide electricity to the facility. Indoor temperatures soared to dangerous levels, prompting warnings from caretakers that Dean ignored.

The ceiling leaked, toilets overflowed and there was not enough food or water for residents who were packed in so closely it was impossible to comply with social distancing guidelines in effect at the time because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Officials ultimately linked five of the 26 deaths that occurred in Louisiana because of Ida to the warehouse in question. Ensuing investigations determined Dean had billed the federal Medicaid program for dates his residents were not receiving care, refused to move clients out of the warehouse and “engaged in conduct intended to intimidate or obstruct public health officials and law enforcement”.

Dean later lost his licenses and federal funding to operate his nursing homes. And in June 2022, prosecutors filed the criminal charges to which he later pleaded no contest.

Though Abels said Dean had no history of criminal convictions, the case resolved on Monday was far from Dean’s only recent legal issue.

Notably, he also grappled with several lawsuits from families of those left in the Independence warehouse.

About three months after authorities charged him, attorneys for the plaintiffs announced a $12m settlement with Dean. A February 2023 report from the Louisiana news outlet nola.com reported that the families had not gotten any settlement payments, which average about $10,000 per nursing home at the warehouse after accounting for attorneys’ fees and other costs.

Elsewhere, Georgia authorities charged Dean with criminal conduct after he shot his thumb off there – and Oregon officials scrutinized him after cattle from his ranch in that state needed to be rescued from a snowstorm, nola.com also reported.

Dean’s attorney, J Garrison Jordan, told nola.com that his client’s plea and sentence Monday were “a fair disposition of the case, and everybody has closure”.

Full Article & Source:
Nursing home owner who left 800 people in warehouse during Hurricane Ida avoids jail time

Southern California dentist sentenced for $800K Medi-Cal fraud

By Legal Newsline

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the sentencing of a Southern California dentist and two employees for a fraudulent billing scheme that defrauded the state Medi-Cal program of nearly $800,000. Dr. Magaly Mercedes Velasquez and her spouse, Maria Jose Talavera, who served as an office manager, were sentenced by the Riverside County Superior Court to 364 days in jail and ordered to pay restitution amounting to $770,238 to Medi-Cal. Jessica Monique Perez, the billing manager, will be placed on probation for two years. The prosecution was conducted by the California Department of Justice’s Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA).

“When dentists like Velasquez defraud Medi-Cal to line their own pockets, they jeopardize the program’s ability to provide necessary healthcare services to our most vulnerable patients,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today’s sentencing holds Velasquez and others involved in this fraudulent billing scheme accountable and sends a strong message: The California Department of Justice is committed to safeguarding California’s communities and public programs and will not tolerate crimes against them.”

Velasquez owned U-First Dental practice where she served as a dentist from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019. Contracted with Borrego Community Health Foundation, a Federally Qualified Health Center participating in Medi-Cal, Velasquez received reimbursement for each day of service billed rather than for individual services provided. U-First Dental fraudulently split their services over multiple days on claims for reimbursement to maximize returns from Medi-Cal.

DMFEA protects Californians by investigating and prosecuting those who defraud the Medi-Cal program as well as those committing elder abuse. These settlements are facilitated through coordination among governmental agencies and assistance from whistleblowers reporting incidences at oag.ca.gov/dmfea/reporting.

DMFEA receives 75% of its funding from HHS-OIG under a grant award totaling $87,038,485 for federal fiscal year 2024. The remaining 25% is funded by the State of California. The federal fiscal year runs from October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

A copy of the sentencing minute order will be available in the coming days.

Full Article & Source:
Southern California dentist sentenced for $800K Medi-Cal fraud

Three nursing home workers accused of elderly abuse

Source:
Three nursing home workers accused of elderly abuse

Wendy Williams' Family Reportedly Still Have No Access To Her Amid 60th Birthday

by Afouda Bamidele

Wendy Williams remains out of bounds to her family members as she continues to deal with her health issues.

Things have not improved between the former talk show host and her family, who have still not been able to contact her physically.

Wendy Williams celebrated her 60th birthday out of reach to her family amid her battle with dementia and progressive aphasia.

Wendy Williams' Family Are Rooting For Her On Her Birthday

Despite being denied access to the star, her family declared that she remains in their thoughts and prayers, especially as she clocks a new age, and they wish her nothing but the best through the rest of her journey in life.

According to a source close to the parties, Williams' family has no idea where she is currently staying due to the ongoing litigation and the fact that no provisions have been made to facilitate contact between them.

All these obstacles have not changed her family's admiration for her as the source declared to PEOPLE that Williams "was, is and always will be an icon" to her loved ones.

Her court-appointed guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, has not commented on the new development, although things are currently tense between the celebrity's family and her guardian.

Williams' 60th birthday was celebrated with warm wishes from her colleagues and fans worldwide. Her colleague and commentator Evan Ross Katz penned an emotional tribute to her on Instagram alongside two old pictures of both of them on William's talk show.

"Happy 60th birthday to the unyielding queen of daytime, the icon, the legend, the moment: Wendy Williams. We love you. We miss you. Pop culture just isn't the same without your commentary. Wishing you health and happiness always," Katz wrote in his caption.

The Iconic Talk Show Host's Family Have Tried To Access Her For Over 2 Year

The Williams family's yearning to see the talk show icon began in April 2022 when her court-ordered guardianship program took full effect.

Her sister, Wanda Finnie, noted that she was not informed of Williams' diagnosis after she was admitted to a facility for treatment for cognitive problems.

According to Finnie, they have been in the dark about her health since the fall of 2021, which was also the last time they saw her.

"When she was in Florida, there were a number of people involved. Even beyond family, there were doctors involved, people in Wendy's professional world that were involved," Finnie said, adding that she had her health team and family around her at the time and her health was greatly improving.

Her family continued that the only person who currently has unrestricted access to her is Morrissey, as they wondered how she deteriorated from the healthy Wendy they have always loved to someone who now frequents the hospital.

Finnie questioned the rationale behind the court's preference for a guardianship system over the comfort and solace her family could offer.

"I don't know. I do know that this system is broken. I hope that at some point, Wendy becomes strong enough where she can speak on her own behalf," concluded Williams' family in their statement to PEOPLE.

Williams' Ex-Husband's Severance Payment Dispute With Her Guardian

Morrissey is performing excellently at her job of fiercely protecting Williams, and as proof of that, she demanded her estranged husband return $112k to the show host account back in April.

Per The Blast, Morrissey explained in her filing that Kevin Hunter was paid that amount for three months, indicating excess severance payment, which made him "unjustly enriched "by Williams' bank.

The flaw needed to be corrected because "Wendy Williams Show" stopped paying the former host in October 2021, and Hunter received payment till January 2022 due to a possible autopay prompt put in place by Williams' bank.

She continued that the payment defaulted the express terms of the estranged couple's settlement agreement, which stated that payments would stop if her income was reduced to less than double her then-yearly income as of February 2020.

Morrissey confirmed that Hunter has thus interfered with the 60-year-old's right of possession to those funds by holding on to the overpaid balance.

Williams' guardian did not stop there, she also demanded that Hunter pay back interest gained on the fee, adding that the court placed a gag order on him to prevent him from talking to the press or anyone about their legal proceedings.

Hunter And Williams Dissolved Their Union In 2020

The couple, who were married for 21 years, ended their marriage in 2020 after Williams filed for divorce in 2019, claiming irreconcilable differences caused their split.

The filing also clashed with the birth of Hunter's daughter with his mistress, Sharina Hudson, which we believe the news of her pregnancy may have contributed to the decline of their marriage.

Williams reportedly paid Hunter a huge sum of money in divorce settlement and a severance payment after she had previously doled out $250,000 to assist her ex-husband in finding a new apartment.

Wendy Williams' Guardian Alleged A&E Television Networks Of Exploitation

Not only did Morrissey move to stop the unnecessary flow of money from Williams' account, but she also filed a lawsuit to block the broadcast of the "Where is Wendy Williams" documentary.

The unsealed lawsuit claimed that A&E Television Networks, a subsidiary of Lifetime, "shamelessly" took advantage of a vulnerable Williams and portrayed her "in an extremely demeaning and undignified manner."

The Blast reported that Morrissey affirmed that due to her health issues, Williams lacked the capacity to consent to the terms of the documentary contract, and she remained in that condition, 

However, Morrissey clarified that she initially permitted the docuseries to proceed with filming under the condition that the project would only advance after a review and approval from herself and the court.

However, the documentary's trailer horrified her and was a direct violation of their initial promise to depict Williams positively.

Here's to better days and longer years to the iconic Wendy Williams!

Full Article & Source:
Wendy Williams' Family Reportedly Still Have No Access To Her Amid 60th Birthday

See Also:
Wendy Williams

‘Larry’s Law’ set to protect Virginia’s vulnerable populations

by: Sam Graham

ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — “Larry’s Law” went into effect on July 1 and is designed to protect Virginia’s most vulnerable communities from financial exploitation.

While the law has gained a reputation for primarily protecting the elderly, it seeks to prevent scams from attacking any at-risk communities, including adults with disabilities and cognitive challenges.

Julie Wheeler, President of the Better Business Bureau for Western Virginia explains the evolution of technology and the trusting nature of many individuals living in the rural areas of Southwest Virginia raise concerns as a potential at-risk community.

“You’re in a part of the state where people tend to be trusting,” she said. “They tend to want to be nice.”

For the technology portion of concern, Delegate Michelle Maldonado (D-Manassas) brings up the rise of artificial intelligence.

“Our AI technology only needs a few seconds of your voice to be able to replicate proper intimation and pronunciation,” said Maldonado.

Maldonado sponsored the bill derived from the Senior Safe Act, naming it “Larry’s Law,” in honor of the late Larry Cook. He was a native of Herndon, Virginia, and a retired Navy submarine commander.

His family says Cook was robbed of over $3 million in a wire fraud scheme in 2021.

The law provides banks certain immunity to reach out to trusted contacts designated by the account holder when they suspect fraudulent activity. As it currently stands, some banks fail to contact relatives or loved ones for fear of litigation, while others are simply too small to dedicate the resources to tracking down additional contacts.

The introduction of an emergency contact was done in hopes of stifling scams before they get out of control. However, it has raised some concerns about overstepping the independence of these vulnerable individuals. In the end, Maldonado believes that while banks may occasionally misidentify fraud, that outweighs the consequences of failing to reach out when there is a scam at work.

“We have to make sure that we’re not taking away the independence, autonomy, and decision-making of our elders,” said Maldonado.

Many scammers prey on the fears of their victims by impersonating family members or government officials to fabricate situations that require urgent attention. Experts suggest establishing a code word with family members to pick out the real from the imaginary, but there are other potential solutions.

“If it sounds too good to be true or they are trying to scare you to death, chances are you need to step back, talk to someone else, and evaluate before you take any action,” said Wheeler.

Wheeler identified prize scams, investment fraud, and impersonating family members in need of help as popular forms of exploitation in Southwest Virginia.

According to Maldonado, the next goal for this type of legislation is to introduce a standard mandatory reporting process for financial institutions. As for Larry’s Law, the process of developing a standard guide for banks to report fraud is expected to be in place by January 1, 2026.

With that on the horizon, Maldonado has a message for those who steal from the vulnerable.

“We’re coming for you,” she said. “We see it and we know that things are getting more sophisticated. And we will do the work to protect our people.”

Full Article & Source:
‘Larry’s Law’ set to protect Virginia’s vulnerable populations

Two Indicted And Charged For Reportedly Exploiting Elderly Adult

by Jennifer Castillo-Gervasi

Two people were indicted by the Greene County Grand Jury on Monday, July 15th, 2024 after reportedly exploiting an elderly adult from January 2021 through May 2022.

Joseph S. Burgner and Frances N. Burgner, both of Lawing Road in Chuckey, were charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person. Both were indicted after reportedly unlawfully committing the offense, or being a party to the offense, and exploiting an elderly adult in the amount greater than $60,000.

Over 40 people were indicted on Monday. Additional information on indictments can be found below:

https://wgrv.com/2024/07/18/woman-indicted-after-fire-last-november-that-caused-schools-to-evacuate/

https://wgrv.com/2024/07/18/several-indicted-this-week-on-domestic-and-aggravated-assault-charges/

https://wgrv.com/2024/07/18/over-40-people-indicted-on-monday-by-greene-county-grand-jury/

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Two Indicted And Charged For Reportedly Exploiting Elderly Adult

Broward State Attorney's Office employee and son accused of trying to exploit elderly veteran

Debarris James, a former employee of Freeman Macon Funeral Home, alongside his mother, Josephine Brown, is accused of trying to con the elderly owner of his business

By Amy Viteri

An employee with the Broward State Attorney's office and her son are in jail after authorities said they tried to steal a business from an elderly veteran. 

Josephine Brown and her son Debarris James are accused of targeting the then 94-year-old inside a nursing facility. 

“It's been very disheartening,” the man’s daughter, Mary Macon Scott, told NBC6.

Her father, Richard Macon, ran Freeman Macon Funeral Home, one of the oldest funeral homes in Pompano Beach, for decades. 

“It's been there at least 50 years,” she said.

Her father is now 95 and living at a skilled nursing facility due to his dementia, Scott said.

Broward Sheriff's Office

Booking photos of Debarris James and Josephine Brown

In November of last year, a former employee of the funeral home and his mother — a legal assistant at the Broward State Attorney’s office — tried to con Macon out of his property, investigators with the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Crimes Against Property Unit said.

“On Nov. 3, Debarris James, along with his mother, Josephine B., entered that facility with the intent of stealing the funeral home,” said investigator William Golding with the property appraiser’s office. 

According to the arrest affidavit, the pair even recorded a video of what they did next.   

“He was able to allegedly get our victim to sign a quit claim deed to the funeral home,” Golding said. “To the name of Debarris James and Josephine Brown. His mother was actually the notary.”

Macon was under the court-ordered guardianship of his daughter Scott because of his cognitive decline.

“We interviewed our victim and he was in no condition to understand what he was signing,” Golding said. “He didn't even understand some of the questions that we were asking of him.”

Investigators at the county property appraiser's office flagged the deed, which seemed suspicious. Then James himself reached out, they said.

“The defendant in this matter actually called me,” said property appraiser Marty Kiar. “He said…'I don't know why you guys haven't put this in my name yet.'"

That’s because his office was already investigating due to red flags, Kiar said.

The property was never transferred to James. A spokesperson for the State Attorney’s Office said Brown, an employee since March of 2001, was suspended without pay Friday after turning herself in to authorities. She was scheduled to retire in August. 

Scott said her father, an Army veteran and former school teacher, has a legacy of helping his community.  

“He helped so many people,” she said. “And to for someone to, go after him to try to steal, especially, you know, his business, his livelihood. That's appalling.”

James and Brown are facing several charges, including exploitation of an elderly person, grand theft, organized fraud and filing of false documents.

In bond court on Saturday, a judge set James' bond at $37,500 and Brown's at $15,000.

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Broward State Attorney's Office employee and son accused of trying to exploit elderly veteran

Dog saves 86-year-old owner after naked man attacks him outside home, family says

An 86-year-old Manchester man is recovering after police said his neighbor showed up at his back door naked and attacked him before the man's dog jumped in and held the neighbor down.

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Dog saves 86-year-old owner after naked man attacks him outside home, family says

Pit bull defends elderly owner during attack by naked man in NH

By Kimberly Bookman

MANCHESTER, N.H. (WHDH) - A Manchester man is being held in preventative detention after police found him standing naked next to the bloodied body of another man early Sunday morning.

Donald Pierce, 55, faces multiple charges after police say he assaulted two people, including an 86-year-old man, and injured a pit bull.

Manchester police responded to Pine Avenue on July 7 at 1 a.m. following report of a domestic incident.

“Arriving officers heard someone yelling for help in the rear of 38 Pine Ave and located two men,” police said in a statement. “One was lying on a porch covered in blood and the other standing next to him, completely naked.”

According to officials, the naked man, later identified as Pierce, “started yelling at police, making threats, and charging at officers.” Multiple taser deployments and several officers were necessary to successfully subdue the suspect.

Later, authorities learned that Pierce had earlier in the day been involved in a physical altercation with a woman at a nearby home.

“Afterwards he encountered an 86-year-old man who was letting his dog out,” police said in a statement. “Pierce assaulted the man, hitting him with his fists and a chair. He also injured the man’s dog. The victim was taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.”

The 86-year-old man, who identified himself as Ned Tarmey, said his dog Kane barked to warn him as Pierce came into the house.

“[Pierce] basically came out of the dark … he was screaming nonsense, ‘I’m gonna kill you,’ or whatever and literally started attacking him — completely unprovoked, no reason,” said Chad Ardizzoni, a relative of Tarmey.

Tarmey’s family said Kane attacked Pierce, protecting Tarmey from him.

“He bit him, latched on, held him down,” Ardizzoni said.

Ron Clement, Tarmey’s neighbor, said police officers used a taser on the dog to get him to release his grip on Pierce. The taser mark is visible through Kane’s fur.

“You saved my life. Yes, you did,” Tarmey could be seen on video telling his dog in the hospital room.

Tarmey is recovering from a brain bleed, a broken arm, broken bones in his face, and a broken collarbone. It was later determined that Pierce and Tarmey did not know each other.

Pierce was charged with first degree assault, second degree assault – domestic violence, felony criminal threatening, felony criminal mischief, four counts simple assault, criminal trespass, indecent exposure, misdemeanor criminal mischief, cruelty to animals, and resisting arrest.

Pierce is being held pending a July 16 probable cause hearing.

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Pit bull defends elderly owner during attack by naked man in NH

Remember That ATL-area Judge Who Allegedly Attacked A Cop? Well, She Insists On Her Innocence and Brought Receipts

By Phenix S Halley 

Former probate judge Christina Peterson is not backing down after she claims she was falsely arrested for assaulting an officer while at a nightclub last month. Peterson was set to appear for a hearing related to the June incident, but according to Fox News, the hearing was canceled and there’s no word of when it will be rescheduled.

Nevertheless, Peterson is maintaining her innocence, and she is using her platform to not only share her truth but also to expose an alleged plot to remove her and several other Black officials in Douglas, County Georgia.

In a recent Instagram post, Peterson shared a clip from her interview with Atlanta rapper Young Joc stating “currently 4 Black electeds have pending felonies with 3 awaiting trial in August 2024, 1 was removed from office, 2 were suspended, and 1 was investigated by special grand jury.”

Peterson went on to write “These are not bad elected officials; these are bad actors in the community who are not happy with the duly elected black leadership.” Apparently, the judge believes there is an ongoing plot to rid her county of Black officials, and this “attack” includes framing her for assaulting a police officer.

Peterson was arrested on June 20 and charged with willful obstruction of law enforcement officers by use of threats or violence and simple battery against a police officer.

According to the original police report obtained by Fox 5, the Douglas County judge allegedly hit an officer on the head early Thursday morning at Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge. The report claimed the judge appeared to be under the influence and refused to identify herself to officials.

Following her release from jail, Peterson called her arrest a “setup” and insisted she was “trying to help a woman who was being attacked by men” when she accidentally hit the officer. Peterson alleges she has “bruises, [a] black eye, [and a] swollen knee” from the incident. Two witnesses have come forward in Peterson’s defense, speaking at a press conference.

Peterson also posted footage which shows a different angle from the night of the alleged incident. In the video, you can see a man and woman get into a physical altercation followed by multiple women trying to break up the fight.

“The idea that a good Samaritan, who was helping a woman that was being viciously attacked [Alexandria Love], could be arrested and the man, who was viciously attacking the woman did not get arrested speaks to other issues that will be addressed at a later time,” Marvin Arrington Jr., the lawyer representing Peterson, said.

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Remember That ATL-area Judge Who Allegedly Attacked A Cop? Well, She Insists On Her Innocence and Brought Receipts

See Also:
Hearing canceled for ex-Douglas County judge arrested at Buckhead nightclub

GA Judge Removed From Bench In Ethics Case

I-Team: Douglas County probate judge charged with felony in Atlanta

Douglas County probate judge charged with felony in Atlanta

Panel: Douglas judge guilty of 'systemic incompetence'

Controversial Douglas County judge must face disciplinary panel Sept. 5

Priscilla Presley Sues Ex-Advisors for Elder Abuse, Alleging ‘Abhorrent Scheme’ to Steal Her Money

In a scathing lawsuit, Presley's attorneys say a shady group opted to "prey on an older woman" to "drain her of every last penny."

by Bill Donahue

Priscilla Presley attends the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on Jan. 15, 2024 in Los Angeles. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Attorneys for Priscilla Presley are suing four of her former business partners over allegations of elder abuse and fraud, accusing them of a “meticulously planned” scheme to drain Elvis Presley’s ex-wife of “every last penny she had.”

In a complaint filed Thursday (July 18) in Los Angeles court, lawyers for Presley, 79, accuse Brigitte Kruse, Kevin Fialko, Vahe Sislyan and Lynn Walker Wright of fraudulently convincing her to give them power over nearly every aspect of her life — and then abusing that control to steal her money.

“This action arises out of a meticulously planned and abhorrent scheme by the defendants in this action to prey on an older woman by gaining her trust, isolating her from the most important people in her life, and duping her into believing that they would take care of her (personally and financially), while their real goal was to drain her of every last penny she had,” writes high-profile attorney Martin Singer, who now represents Presley.  

Calling Kruse a “con-artist and pathological liar,” Singer says the defendants took more than $1 million from Presley and convinced her to sign a deal that would give them 80% of her future income.

“The fact that the plaintiff in this case is internationally recognized actress, author, and cultural icon … demonstrates both how effective the defendants’ plan was (and needed to be), and how anyone can be a victim of elder abuse and fraud,” Singer writes.

The new case comes eight months after Kruse’s company, Priscilla Presley Partners, filed its own lawsuit against Priscilla in Florida. That case claimed that Presley illegally turned her back on Kruse and Fialko after they had helped her “dig herself out of impending financial ruin,” including negotiating the deal that led to last year’s Priscilla biopic.

But in Thursday’s new lawsuit, Singer argues that the earlier case was merely a cover for Kruse and Fialko’s alleged misdeeds.

“When it became clear to the defendants that their scheme had been uncovered, they attempted to falsely portray themselves as the victims by filing a lawsuit against Presley in Florida in the name of several of the sham companies they established, alleging that Presley breached the fraudulently-induced operating agreements,” her legal team writes.

According to the complaint, Sislyan is Kruse’s husband and participated in the scheme; and Walker-Wright is an Orlando-area attorney who allegedly helped the others carry it out.

Singer and Priscilla’s other attorneys say that Kruse and the others “established a personal relationship” with her and then used it to “isolate her from her long-time business and financial advisors,” whom they argued were “deceitful or incompetent” and causing her to lose money. Once they had isolated her, the lawsuit says, Kruse and the others took steps to “fraudulently induce” Presley into signing over power of attorney, giving them control over her trusts and bank accounts, and signing deals with “sham” companies like Priscilla Presley Partners.

One of those deals, the lawsuit says, gave the defendants “an exclusive license to exploit and profit off of her name, image, and likeness, and to control and receive virtually all of her income from any of her professional ventures.”

“Dissatisfied with what existing resources they could siphon from her, the defendants’ plan involved usurping control over her ability to control her finances going forward and forcing her into a form of indentured servitude, where plaintiff was forced to work so that they could receive the lion’s share of any revenue that she was able to earn in the future,” Singer writes.

An attorney for Kruse and Priscilla Presley Partners did not immediately return a request for comment on the allegations. Walker-Wright also did not return a request for comment.

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Priscilla Presley Sues Ex-Advisors for Elder Abuse, Alleging ‘Abhorrent Scheme’ to Steal Her Money