CLEVELAND,
Ohio – A Cuyahoga County grand jury is expected to hear the case of an
84-year-old woman who died Christmas Eve at a Warrensville nursing home.
Amber
Henderson, 31, of Willoughby Hills was charged in Bedford Municipal
Court with involuntary manslaughter, gross neglect of a patient and
tampering with records in the death of Alvera Meuti. Her case was bound
over Thursday to a county grand jury.
“This is infuriating,” said Paula Mueller, the founder and executive
director of Elderly Advocates, a Parma nonprofit that pushes for greater
care in long-term facilities. “Someone died who shouldn’t have. I just
can’t imagine how she died.”
WKYC, a news partner of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer, reported
that Henderson has been charged in Meuti’s death at the Avenue at
Warrensville Care and Rehabilitation Center in Warrensville Heights. The
station reported that she died of hypothermia.
Meuti was found outside the facility on a patio porch. She had been
missing for 10 hours, the news station reported. The station reported
that a nurse had checked on Meuti about 8:40 p.m. Dec. 23, and she was
sitting in her wheelchair inside the building.
The
station reported that Henderson checked on Meuti about an hour later
but could not find her. About 6:30 a.m., the facility realized Meuti was
gone and notified police. Officers found her outside.
Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reached out to Justin Weatherly, Henderson’s attorney, seeking comment.
St. Petersburg detectives have arrested Delorse Boyd, 65, on charges
of 1st Degree Elderly Exploitation after allegedly stealing
approximately $205,762.60 from a disabled, wheelchair-bound elderly
victim over several years.
The victim, who was 79 years old when
the exploitation began, initially hired Boyd as a housekeeper. After
undergoing surgery, the victim hired 24/7 home healthcare services and
no longer required Boyd’s cleaning assistance. Boyd then took on
responsibilities such as grocery shopping, bill payments, and picking up
medications for the victim. Boyd was entrusted with the victim’s credit
cards and checkbook during this time.
Between July 7, 2017, and
September 1, 2021, Boyd allegedly wrote 176 unauthorized checks, using
the funds to withdraw cash, make deposits into her own account, and pay
personal bills. She also used the victim’s credit card for purchases
totaling $20,045.58, including appliances, utility bills, ride-shares,
phone bills, online orders, and travel expenses.
Investigators
discovered that Boyd even wrote a $3,517.02 check from the victim’s
account to the Pinellas County Clerk of Court to settle her own criminal
and traffic offenses, including fines and tickets.
The
financial exploitation was uncovered when the victim’s bank noticed
suspicious transactions and reported them to law enforcement. The
victim, now approximately 83 years old, suffered the theft of a
significant portion of her finances during her vulnerable years.
St. Petersburg Economic Crimes detectives emphasize the importance of
protecting oneself or loved ones from elderly financial exploitation.
They provided these tips:
Carefully select and appoint a Power of Attorney.
Consult a trusted advisor before making financial decisions.
Regularly check credit reports and review financial statements, especially for joint accounts.
The investigation remains ongoing as Boyd faces prosecution for her actions.
A retired police dog named Bear has been honoured with the Thin Blue Paw Foundation's Lifesaver Award after saving a missing man’s life during a walk to celebrate his 12th birthday.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has rejected an attempt by a conservative activist to obtain guardianship records in an effort to find ineligible voters
by SCOTT BAUER
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has rejected an attempt by a conservative activist to obtain guardianship records in an effort to find ineligible voters, but the case could return.
The
court did not rule on the merits of the case, instead saying in its 5-2
decision Friday that a lower appeals court did not follow proper
procedure when it issued a ruling saying the records should be released.
Here’s what to know:
Conservative activist brought the case
The case tested the line between protecting personal privacy rights and ensuring that ineligible people can’t vote.
Former
travel agent Ron Heuer and a group he leads, the Wisconsin Voter
Alliance, allege that the number of ineligible voters doesn’t match the
count on Wisconsin’s voter registration list. Heuer asked the state
Supreme Court to rule that counties must release records filed when a
judge determines that someone isn’t competent to vote so that those
names can be compared to the voter registration list.
Justices rejected case on technicality
The
justices said the District II appeals court, based in Waukesha, was
wrong to overturn a Walworth County Circuit Court ruling denying access
to the records. In a nearly identical lawsuit, the District IV appeals
court, based in Madison, had denied access to the records saying they
were not subject to disclosure under the state public records law.
Justice
Janet Protasiewicz, writing for the majority, said that the District II
appeals court have sent the case to the Supreme Court, explaining why
the other appeals court ruling was incorrect.
If
it follows the proper procedure for doing that, the case could end up
right back before the Supreme Court again. In the meantime, the Supreme
Court sent the case back to the appeals court for further action.
All
four liberal justices were joined by conservative Justice Brian
Hagedorn in the majority. He said the different branches of the appeals
court must be unified in their actions.
Chief
Justice Annette Ziegler and Justice Rebecca Bradley, both
conservatives, dissented, saying the court “leaves unresolved issues of
great importance to voters, election officials, and people from whom
courts have removed the right to vote due to incompetency.”
Sam Hall, the attorney for Walworth County, praised the ruling.
“We
all agree that election integrity is fundamental and our citizens must
have confidence in our elective process, while also respecting the
dignity of those individuals subject to guardianship orders,” he said.
A
court has the power to remove the right to vote from a person under a
guardianship order if the person is determined to be unable to
understand “the objective of the election process.”
The attorney for Heuer did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
NAPLES, Florida — A 69-year-old woman has been sentenced to prison for
financially exploiting an elderly couple in Naples, stealing over
$100,000 in jewelry, cash, and a car.
Lynn Marie Keller was sentenced to
10 years in prison followed by five years of probation, with special
conditions, by Collier County Circuit Judge Elizabeth Krier.
Keller was
ordered to pay $112,000 in restitution after a jury found her guilty of
nine counts of exploitation of the elderly following a weeklong trial
last December. The charges stem from incidents reported in 2019 when the
Collier County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) discovered that jewelry, a car,
and personal banking documents had been stolen from an 81-year-old woman
in hospice care and her 87-year-old husband in a skilled nursing
facility.
Detectives traced the crimes to Keller, who forged the female
victim's name on a new Kia Sorrento, transferring the title to herself
as a gift while the victim was in a coma. Keller also transferred funds
from the couple's account to her own and forged checks in their names.
The investigation revealed transactions made by Keller using a power of
attorney and the couple's joint banking accounts.
Upon the female
victim's death, Keller took items from the couple's house and fled the
area, instructing a friend of the victim not to inform the son of his
mother's passing.
Keller was arrested in 2021 on a CCSO warrant after
being located in Monroe County. "Thanks to excellent investigative work
by our detectives and a successful prosecution by our State Attorney's
Office, this individual is going to prison where she won't be able to
prey on vulnerable members of our community," Sheriff Kevin Rambosk
said.
In the wake of several high profile guardianship abuse cases,
including Wendy Williams speaking out about her forced conservatorship
and New York Attorney General Letitia James investigation into
guardianship providers, Senator Anthony Palumbo (R,C-New Suffolk) is
renewing his efforts to reform New York’s Guardianship system through
the passage of Karilyn’s Law. The legislation provides a
mechanism allowing family members and friends to visit loved ones under
guardianship and conservatorship. The bill is named after Karilyn
Montanti, a senior and victim of the guardianship system, whose loved
ones had been denied visitation rights.
Karilyn’s Law prevents a guardian, care manager, or power of attorney
from arbitrarily terminating visitation rights and isolating vulnerable
individuals who are being held in involuntary guardianship. The bill
provides for the ward or family members, who have been denied their due
process rights, to be heard and have an evidentiary hearing before the
court within 10 days of bringing an application.
“New York’s guardianship system needs to be overhauled to protect some
of the State’s most vulnerable residents from forced isolation and
provide them with the ability to see loved ones and friends,” said Senator Anthony Palumbo.
“The denial of visitation rights is just one component of the
guardianship abuse we are witnessing throughout New York, but it is the
most inhumane and must be addressed in 2025.”
Chrisine Montanti, daughter of Karilyn Montanti and a Guardianship Advocate said:
“I have been living a complete nightmare for several years as my mother
is in a constant state of torture and I am powerless to save her. My
mother was blocked and denied access to her entire family, friends and
only grandchild without having an evidentiary hearing and without due
process. I am grateful to Senator Palumbo for his continued efforts to
pass Karilyn’s Law and as a champion of guardianship reform. His work
to safeguard New York State’s most vulnerable individuals will help
prevent other families from having to endure the horrific ordeal that I
have been facing for nearly a decade.”
“If this can happen to me and my family this can happen to anyone. We
have been blocked from contacting my mother and aunt by phone, I
personally have no visitation rights to my mother, and I have been
threatened with jail time while trying to get my mother back to her home
in New York. The guardianship system needs to be reformed, and I urge
the legislature to pass Karilyn’s Law this year,” said Illana Musikar.
“My mother screamed you are breaking my arm as she was dragged out of her homeagainst
her will and placed in a memory-care facility in Irondequoit New York.
No doctor or judge said she was mentally incompetent. She was denied
the right to make phone calls, have visitors of her choosing and was
drugged against her will. If Karilyn’s Law had been in effect, I could
have helped her and brought her home. Instead, she died alone on a
narrow bed at the facility. We need to pass Karilyn’s Law and provide
greater protection for vulnerable New Yorkers like my mom,” said Jonathan Farley.
"New York’s guardianship system is in dire need of reform to protect
our most vulnerable citizens from exploitation and abuse. Karilyn’s Law
is a critical step forward in ensuring that families are not unjustly
torn apart by guardianship decisions made without accountability or due
process. Growing public awareness and attention to the abuses within the
guardianship system highlight the urgency of addressing these failures.
By passing Karilyn’s Law, we can prevent other families from enduring
the heartbreak and injustice that so many have already faced under the
current system." – Senator George Borrello, 57th District.
“Karilyn’s Law is long overdue and is a simple change to improve the
State’s guardianship system. The legislation will help close a loophole
that has allowed guardians with extreme power to deprive individuals of
their visitation rights and will reunite family, friends and loved ones.
It is the compassionate and right thing to do for the countless
families navigating the guardianship system,” concluded Senator Anthony Palumbo.
An elderly woman was
robbed of more than $1 million after being targeted as part of "a
complex identity theft and fraud scheme," according to the Harford
County Sheriff's Office.
Devalkumar
Harshadkumar Vyas and wife Mamata D. Vyas - who were arrested for a
similar scheme in New York last month - preyed on a 73-year-old woman
who was convinced to make bitcoin and gold purchases that they then took
over the course of a five-week period.
In June, investigators say that the
woman received an unsolicited email from erickressman@tuta.io,
purportedly from Eric Kressman of the Office of the Inspector General
claiming that she was the target of identity theft.
Shortly
thereafter, the victim received an unsolicited call from a person
identifying himself as "Willy Le," an employee of the Social Security
Administration.
"Le"
was able to provide the woman with detailed information about her bank
accounts, and advised that she had to transfer it to him for
safekeeping, imploring her to keep the entire situation confidential.
After
that call, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office said that she made
multiple transactions over five weeks, including deposits into a bitcoin
machine and purchases of gold.
She
met with the suspects on five different occasions to hand over the gold
and cash, resulting in a total loss of over a million dollars.
During
the investigation, it was determined the suspects were driving a silver
Chevrolet Equinox that was registered to Devalkumar Harshadkumar Vyas.
Further
investigation found that Vyas and his wife were involved in a similar
crime in New York state. Both husband and wife were arrested on
Wednesday, July 10, by the New York State Police and charged there.
Late
last month, Devalkumar Vyas was interviewed by members of the Harford
County Sheriff's Office, where he admitted to his role in the fraud
scheme in Maryland.
Now, detectives are concerned there may be other victims of the couple who have not yet come forward.
While an arrest has been made, the sheriff’s office is continuing their investigation, they added.
Anyone who may have been victimized in a similar scheme has been asked to contact investigators by calling (410) 836-5428.
Wendy Williams'
guardianship woes are commanding the attention of at least one New York
lawmaker ... who's making a big push so her family can easily visit
her.
Anthony Palumbo, a N.Y. state senator, tells TMZ ...
today, he is re-introducing a piece of legislation that would change
guardianship laws regarding family visitation in the state.
According to Palumbo, "Karilyn's Law"
would allow families to visit loved ones by filing a motion with the
court ... the guardian would then have 10 days to show the court if the
person intending to visit is displaying inappropriate conduct -- and if
not, they can visit.
He says the law is designed to ensure family members have a legal path
to visit a loved one under a guardianship, which he thinks is lacking
under the existing framework.
Palumbo has been following Wendy's case for years, and says her being locked up in an apartment
is tragic. He goes on to say that even if her memory is failing, she
should still be allowed to be with her family instead of forcibly
separated from them.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Palumbo hopes the
newfound attention surrounding Wendy's case will spur lawmakers into
action. He first proposed Karilyn's Law in 2022, but it didn't get
passed.
Since he first proposed the piece of legislation, he says
his office has received dozens of calls and emails from concerned
citizens about Wendy's guardianship. The way Palumbo sees it,
unfortunately, it can take a celebrity and a tragedy to get people's
attention.
New York's attorney
general is looking into the system of care for the most vulnerable, but
the state needs to do more to expand resources and oversight.
By Times Union Editorial Board, Opinion
The troubled system intended to protect the state’s most vulnerable
residents is getting a look from the state attorney general’s office —
official attention that’s coming none too soon.
Among
many other issues raised by ProPublica, their investigation found that
there are simply too few “examiners” to monitor the care provided by
guardians; only 157 exist for the 17,411 wards in New York City alone.
In
the absence of proper oversight, rogue organizations have enriched
themselves at their wards’ expense. That’s where Attorney
General Letitia James enters to investigate these bad players and, as
ProPublica reported, “how they manage the health and financial affairs
of hundreds of elderly and infirm New Yorkers deemed incapable of
looking after themselves.”
One
such outfit is New York Guardianship Services, on which ProPublica has
reported extensively, noting that it has — among other outrageous cases —
placed a woman in a rat-infested apartment without heat all while the
firm collected $450 a month and reported her situation to the courts as
“appropriate.” This occurred, according to ProPublica, “even as internal
company records and her own emails showed that she’d repeatedly
complained about the conditions.”
NYGS,
which was ordered by a judge to repay that ward $5,400, is one of about
a half-dozen organizations now being investigated by James’ office.
Great news — but what about the guardianship program itself?
Earlier
reporting by ProPublica quoted Kristin Booth Glen, a former judge who
three decades ago helped craft Article 81 of the state Mental Hygiene
Law, the statute that guides guardianship in New York, as acknowledging
the system is now “a total and utter disaster.”
The
state Office of Court Administration has noted that judges backstopping
the system are outmatched by caseloads; it has appointed an advisory
committee to suggest fixes. That committee has now called for a $72
million independent statewide agency to serve as a public guardian.
Advocates
have called on Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders to budget $15
million annually for a statewide network of nonprofits that could shore
up the system. But the fact that the negotiated budget for the current
fiscal year included only $1 million for a statewide guardianship
hotline doesn't bode well for either proposal.
The
hotline might be a fine tool, but it's the equivalent of a Band-Aid on a
sucking chest wound. These are, after all, people who have guardians
because they can’t speak for themselves.
They
are referred to as the “unbefriended” because they don’t have family or
confidants who can represent their best interests. As we speak, the
system rarely checks on these people in person and largely relies on
financial paperwork to determine a person’s well-being.
The
state needs to step in immediately to consider these proposals and find
ways to address alleged abuses, including improved training
requirements for guardians and examiners; increasing the number of
judges to keep eyes on the system; making reporting requirements more
robust; and establishing caseload limits for everyone involved.
Washington long-term care ombuds: ‘This is a statewide problem, and it seems to be increasing’
By Alexis Weisend
The state of Washington prohibits nursing homes from kicking out residents without letting anyone know.
But legislators have failed to extend the same protections to
residents of adult family homes and assisted living facilities, which
generally provide a lower level of care but still house some of the
state’s most vulnerable people.
“We can’t just leave people out,” said state Sen. Paul Harris,
R-Vancouver, whose bill aimed at solving the issue died last session in
the House, where he was serving at the time.
Attorneys and ombuds say the result is an undocumented surge of
displaced residents that’s fueled by a boom in adult family homes, an
aging population, and the state’s mental health and addiction crises.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Rutherford County woman faces charges of financial exploitation, theft, and criminal simulation by the TBI.
According
to investigators, Jill Black Turner had stolen property and cash from
an elderly relative who was living at a Murfreesboro care facility back
in the summer of 2024.
Authorities also believe Turner may be
responsible for using the victim's checking account and had forged a
check in their name.
On January 6, Turner was
indicted with one count each of financial exploitation of an elderly/
vulnerable adult, theft of property $60,000 - $250,00, and criminal
simulation.
She was booked into the Rutherford County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
On Thursday, a
Jefferson Parish judge announced that families involved in a class
action suit against disgraced nursing home owner Bob Dean would receive
final payments soon.
This, as some plaintiffs appeared in court and pleaded for more money.
Hundreds sued Dean for transporting their older family members to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida.
About a dozen people died at the site.
Mitchell Harris is the son of Debra Whiltberger.
"We didn't get justice through Bob Dean. He's living in a nice, beautiful mansion. We are here with nothing," Harris said.
Harris
said his mom was 60 years old when she died just weeks after enduring
horrid conditions at a warehouse in Independence in the wake of
Hurricane Ida.
"She
was bedridden. She had had several strokes. Couldn't walk or eat by
herself. Had no water, during that time, no nothing. Just laid there. I
don't know how she did it," Harris said.
Harris said his family was allocated $10,000 in an initial settlement, and he has to pay attorney fees out of that amount.
It's why he went before the judge to object.
"I'd rather take a loss and fight it than someone offer me an insult on what they think my mom's life was worth," Harris said.
He is not alone. Jeanette Triplette said her mom is still dealing with the latest effects from the terrible experience.
"You can't put a price on someone's life. You can't put a price on someone's quality of life," Triplette said.
More
than 400 patients or their living family members are to split under $9
million in Bob Dean's insurance proceedings. Each of the families who
participated in the class action lawsuit received allocation letters
based on how much officials believed they are owed.
People received different amounts.
These requests come as attorneys said they feel the process has been smooth, given the circumstances.
"Watching
from the outside, it seems like it's been longer. But inside the legal
system, it has moved very quickly," said attorney Rob Couhig Jr.
Attorneys
said most should have received at least two payments. The biggest lump
sum is expected to go out to families. Another payment could follow
based on what is left after that.
WDSU spoke with at least one family who said they received their allocation letter, but so far, no payments.
"None
whatsoever. They sent like $1,000 and $1,700 out. We never got none of
that," said Rachael Ayo, daughter of Ella May Alario.
Dean
was sentenced to three years' probation last July and ordered to pay $2
million in restitution. There is expected to be another hearing to
address the plaintiff's request.
The
judge also said if he agrees to the objection it will slow the process
for those families who objected. But he will look into the matter.
RUTHERFORD COUNTY,
Tenn. (WKRN) — A Rutherford County woman faces a slew of charges after
an investigation revealed she stole from a vulnerable adult, according
to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
Special
agents with the TBI’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division said they began
investigating 60-year-old Jill Black Turner in August 2024 following
allegations of theft and financial exploitation of an elderly adult.
During
the investigation, agents reportedly learned between July 2023 and July
2024, property and cash belonging to an elderly resident at a
Murfreesboro care facility had been stolen. Officials added the victim’s
checking account was also utilized for unauthorized purchases, and her
name had been forged on a check.
According
to the TBI, the investigation identified the suspect as a relative to
the victim. On Jan. 6, 2025, the Rutherford County Grand Jury returned
an indictment charging Turner with one count each of financial
exploitation of a vulnerable adult, theft of property $60,000 – $250,00,
and criminal simulation.
Deputies with the
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office arrested Turner on Jan. 13. She is
being held in the Rutherford County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
No additional details about the incident were immediately released.
Wendy's family, led by her niece Alex Finnie, has started a GoFundMe in
the hopes of raising $50,000 to help with mounting legal fees and
moving her out of the wellness facility she is currently living in , which she claims is like living "in prison."
Though the former radio host was diagnosed with primary progressive
aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023, she is adamant that a legal
conservatorship is not necessary, especially with the support and care
of her family.
In a recent appearance on Power 105's The
Breakfast Club, the 60-year-old spoke directly about her situation,
claiming: "I am not cognitively impaired. But I feel like I am in
prison" and that she is barred from contacting her family. She also
claims that she has experienced "emotional abuse" at the facility she
currently resides in.
The description for the fundraiser reads:
"For far too long, Wendy has faced the challenges of being unjustly
placed under guardianship and labeled as incapacitated, despite her
strong will and determination to live her life independently."
It continues: "The guardian assigned to her has severed her connections
with friends and family, leaving her without the support network she so
desperately needs. This isolation in New York has made it increasingly
difficult for her to maintain her strength and resilience."
The
description concludes: "Wendy's family is passionately advocating for
her return to Florida, where she can once again be surrounded by the
love and support of those who care about her. They are suffering
emotionally as they witness the toll her isolation is taking on her
well-being."
The former radio host's guardianship is similar to
that of fellow stars Britney Spears and Amanda Bynes, who have both
since been freed from the legal confines of their conservatorships. So
far, the GoFundMe campaign has raised over $15,000.
Sabrina Morrissey, a name now synonymous with controversy, has come
under intense scrutiny for her role as Wendy Williams’ guardian. As the
famed talk show host and media personality fights to regain control of
her life, Morrissey’s actions—and the system enabling them—are facing
widespread criticism from fans, family, and advocates for reform.
The Role of Sabrina Morrissey in Wendy Williams’ Conservatorship
Morrissey was appointed as Williams’ legal guardian in 2022, a role
that granted her control over the star’s finances, healthcare, and
personal decisions. This legal arrangement came after a public feud
between Wendy and Wells Fargo Bank, along with her former financial
adviser Lori Shiller. Wendy accused them of conspiring to mismanage her
finances, leading to her placement under guardianship.
According to Wendy’s former attorney, the guardianship was less about
protecting the TV star and more about covering up alleged financial
malfeasance. Claims of violations of laws and financial regulations have
further fueled skepticism about the motivations behind the
conservatorship.
Allegations of Emotional and Financial Abuse
In a rare and emotional interview on The Breakfast Club,
Wendy broke her silence, calling out the guardianship as a source of
emotional and financial abuse. She revealed she is confined to a New
York facility, allowed no visitors, and has limited access to
communication. Wendy described her daily life as “prison-like,” sharing
that she only has $15 to her name, cannot receive phone calls, and has
no access to a laptop or the internet.
Williams’ niece, Alex Finnie, corroborated these claims, painting a
harrowing picture of isolation and surveillance. “She’s there every day,
all hours of the day,” Finnie said, emphasizing the emotional toll of
such restrictive conditions.
Public Outcry: The #FreeWendy Movement
Much like the #FreeBritney campaign that galvanized public support
for Britney Spears, Wendy’s fans have launched the #FreeWendy movement.
Social media has exploded with calls for justice, with fans labeling
Morrissey as the antagonist in Wendy’s ongoing struggle.
“Wendy Williams is literally being held captive by Sabrina Morrissey.
#FreeWendy,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). Others pointed to
Morrissey’s alleged attempts to control Wendy’s narrative, including
filing lawsuits to block a Lifetime documentary, Where Is Wendy Williams?
A Broken System?
Wendy’s case has drawn comparisons to other high-profile
conservatorships, highlighting systemic flaws. Despite Morrissey filing
court documents describing Wendy as “cognitively impaired and
permanently incapacitated,” the former TV host sounded lucid, coherent,
and impassioned in her interview. Wendy vehemently denied claims of
cognitive decline, even challenging listeners to judge for themselves.
Family Advocacy
Wendy’s son, Kevin Jr., has been vocal about his mother’s situation.
Following her appearance at his college graduation, he described her as
sober and eager to return home. “Isolation is killing her faster than
anything else,” he wrote on Instagram, pleading for her freedom.
What’s Next?
The fight for Wendy Williams’ autonomy continues, with public
sentiment firmly on her side. The #FreeWendy movement is gaining
momentum, pressuring both Morrissey and the legal system to reconsider
the terms of her guardianship.
As Wendy tearfully said during her interview, “This system has
falsified a lot.” Whether the public outcry and legal challenges will
lead to her freedom remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Wendy
Williams is not giving up without a fight.
Sabrina Morrissey’s legacy, for now, remains entangled with this
heartbreaking saga. Whether she’ll be remembered as a protector or an
enabler of abuse depends on the outcome of Wendy’s quest for justice.
A French woman who revealed on television how she had lost her life
savings to scammers posing as Brad Pitt, has faced a wave of online
harassment and mockery, leading the interview to be withdrawn on
Tuesday.
The woman, named as Anne, told the "Seven to Eight"
program on the TF1 channel that she had believed she was in a romantic
relationship with the Hollywood star, leading her to divorce her husband
and transfer $850,000.
The scammers used fake social media and
WhatsApp accounts, as well as AI image-creating technology to send Anne
what appeared to be selfies and messages from Pitt.
To extract
money, they pretended that the 61-year-old actor needed money to pay for
kidney treatment, with his bank accounts supposedly frozen because of divorce proceedings with his ex-wife Angelina Jolie.
Anne,
a 53-year-old interior decorator with mental health problems, spent a
year and half believing she was communicating with Pitt and only
realized she had been scammed when news emerged of Pitt's real-life
relationship with girlfriend Ines de Ramon.
"The story broadcast this Sunday has resulted in a wave of harassment against the witness," TF1 presenter Harry Roselmack wrote on his X account on Tuesday. "For the protection of victims, we have decided to withdraw it from our platforms."
Anne
was said by the channel at the time of its broadcast to have been
suffering from severe depression and received hospital treatment.
The interview, in which she was filmed openly and even shared family photos with reporters, went viral on Monday.
It
sparked a deluge of mocking comments and jokes, but some online critics
accused TF1 of failing to protect a vulnerable individual who might not
have been unaware of the consequences of going public.
Toulouse Football Club tweeted that "Brad told us that he would be at
the stadium on Wednesday" for the team's next match, before withdrawing
the message and apologizing.
Netflix France also posted on social media promoting "four films to see with Brad Pitt (really) for free."
Romance scams
have been a feature of the internet since the advent of email, but
experts say artificial intelligence has increased the risk of identity
theft, hoaxes and fraud online.
"These people deserve hell"
Anne
told TF1 that she was first contacted by someone posing as Pitt's
mother shortly after she began using Instagram for the first time while
on a ski trip with her family in France.
"She told me that her son needed someone like me," Anne explained.
The scammers messaged her again several days afterwards, this time posing as Pitt.
"At
first I said to myself that it was fake, that it's ridiculous," Anne
explained to TF1. "But I'm not used to social media and I didn't really
understand what was happening to me."
"I ask myself why they chose me to do such harm like this?" she
continued. "I've never harmed anyone. These people deserve hell."
More than 64,000 Americans were taken for over $1 billion in romance scams in 2023— double the $500 million just four years earlier, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
In 2023, senior citizens were conned out of roughly $3.4 billion in a range of financial crimes, according to the FBI data. The agency recently warned that
AI has increased the "believability" or criminal scams given that they
"assist with content creation and can correct for human errors that
might otherwise serve as warning signs of fraud."
