‘It’s all about the money,’ Las Vegas family fights Ohio guardianship

by: Vanessa Murphy

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A Las Vegas family is pushing for their loved one’s Ohio-based guardianship to be terminated. Theresa Ferguson, 91, is a ward in a guardianship, meaning a court-appointed guardian is in control of her body and estate, in Ohio.

Ferguson, who suffers from dementia, has expressed she wants to remain in Las Vegas with her daughter, Carrie Meyer.
 
“Your family is all you got,” Ferguson told the 8 News Now Investigators. “You got family, you got everything.”
 
The family’s fight received nationwide attention after Meyer posted videos on social media. Ferguson, who was a patient at Summerlin Hospital in January, wanted to leave with Carrie Meyer when she was discharged. The video shows hospital staff refusing to let Ferguson leave, with one individual referring to the guardian.
 
Summerlin Hospital appeared to be caught in the middle while following the Ohio court order.
 
The 8 News Now Investigators reached out to the hospital during the family’s fight.
 
“Due to federal patient privacy laws, we cannot comment on specific patients,” spokesperson Gretchen Papez wrote in an email. “However, it is not our policy to refuse to let patients leave. There are times, though, when we are legally obligated to not allow patients to leave the hospital. They could be incarcerated at the time of their hospitalization; a danger to themselves or others; unable to care for themselves; or be involved in a guardianship issue.”
 
The day after the 8 News Now Investigators reached out, Carrie Meyer said Ferguson was allowed to leave the hospital.
 
“The guardianship has been a very, very challenging thing in our life,” Carrie Meyer told the 8 News Now Investigators, citing a family conflict as the reason why it began.
 
“Disagreement in family members. That’s usually how it stems, a lot of times money,” she said. “My mom wasn’t extremely wealthy but she did have some money so the root of it is money, to be honest.”
 
In addition to Ferguson’s money being controlled, she was placed in an assisted living facility, where according to Carrie Meyer and her daughter, Chloe, communication was limited.
 
“She doesn’t want to be in a home,” Carrie Meyer said.
 
The Meyers said they brought Ferguson to Las Vegas, which they knew was a risk.
 
“We were at the facility with her and she asked to be rescued and that’s what we did. We rescued her,” Chloe Meyer told the 8 News Now Investigators. “We flew her to a safe haven, my mom’s house and she is completely capable of having her voice heard and expressing her wishes, and it’s been a battle, but we’re now to the point where she is here with us and it’s amazing.”
 
The Meyers said they believe the guardianship is draining Ferguson’s funds. Court records refer to social security and two pensions Ferguson receives. In addition to expenses like the facility, the guardian, who is an attorney, bills for fees.

“It’s all about the money, God damn money,” Ferguson said.
 
“She feeds herself. She bathes herself,” Carrie Meyer told the 8 News Now Investigators. “At 91, a little bit of dementia shouldn’t keep your family from living where they want to live. It’s her life.”
 
There are options for individuals like Ferguson that are not as extreme as guardianships, according to Debra Bookout, the directing attorney for the Guardianship Advocacy Project at Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada.
 
“Think about not being able to make your own decisions. That’s a pretty big loss,” Bookout said.
 
Estate planning documents are vital, according to Bookout. A judge can honor an individual’s wishes, which could help prevent a family conflict regarding the individual’s care and finances.
 
“A happy middle ground would be we recognize you are declining, loved one, and you have wishes that should be honored, maybe an estate planning consult with an estate planning attorney is a great idea at this point,” Bookout said.
 
The state of Nevada strengthened its oversight of guardianships after systemic issues were discovered. In some cases, individuals were criminally charged.
 
The state now requires representation for wards. In Clark County, Bookout and her team represent the wards.
 
“We appear in court on behalf of that person and advocate for their wishes,” Bookout said.
 
The Meyers are asking an Ohio court to terminate Ferguson’s guardianship.
 
The guardian, attorney Justine Winger, filed a motion to withdraw as the guardian of Ferguson as a person, stating Ferguson’s family is making it difficult for her to do her job.
 
Winger also agrees to remain guardian of Ferguson’s estate “until another suitable person applies and is appointed as such in either Ohio (where the ward’s assets lie) or Nevada (where the ward is currently being housed),” according to the motion.
 
The 8 News Now Investigators’ attempts to reach Winger were unsuccessful. 
 
A hearing on the matter is scheduled for March 20.

Full Article & Source:
‘It’s all about the money,’ Las Vegas family fights Ohio guardianship

York County Couple — Exercising Power of Attorney and Primary Caregiving Responsibilities — Charged with Neglect, Financial Exploitation of Elderly Woman

February 14, 2025 | Topic: Criminal

Victim was found alone, soiled, behind a dog gate in basement of her home

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that a York County husband and wife have been charged with abandoning a care-dependent woman — the wife’s mother — in a basement, while the couple went on vacation.

Ashlee Brady and Brian Brady, each 32, of Hanover, are also charged with using the woman’s finances for their own personal expenses, including vacations and alcohol.

Ashlee was her mother’s power of attorney; Brian was the victim’s caregiver and was reimbursed with Medicaid funds through his employer.

Both are charged with financial exploitation of an older adult/care-dependent person, theft by deception, neglect of a care-dependent person, and conspiracy counts to commit all of the above listed crimes. Ashlee Brady is also charged with perjury and two counts of intimidation of a witness and Brian Brady is charged with four counts of Medicaid fraud.

“These alleged acts are truly disturbing on many levels — as these defendants were not only family, her own daughter and son-in-law, they were paid to look out for this victim’s best interests,” Attorney General Sunday said. “I commend the investigators who uncovered this cycle of abusive and exploitative conduct. My office will continue to stand up for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents.”

In February 2024, the victim was found, alone, locked in the basement of her home. She was soiled and penned into a corner with a dog gate. She had been left with hot dogs and two cups of water. Emergency Medical Services found the victim after a relative called them for assistance.

An investigation determined that the defendants left the victim in the basement and took an overnight trip with their children. Further investigation uncovered alleged financial exploitation, as the defendants used more than $10,000 of the victim’s money on vacations, alcohol, and other activities not related to her care or upkeep.

Also, Brian allegedly submitted hours to his employer, for reimbursement from Medicaid, for services he did not provide the victim. Investigators determined that Ashlee Brady lied under oath about the abandonment incident, saying she made arrangements for a family member to watch the victim.

The Brady’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 27.

This case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Christopher R. Sherwood. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The Pennsylvania Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $12,839,940 for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2025. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $4,279,979 for FY 2025, is funded by Pennsylvania.

Source:
York County Couple — Exercising Power of Attorney and Primary Caregiving Responsibilities — Charged with Neglect, Financial Exploitation of Elderly Woman

TMZ: Wendy Williams 'locked up in a room', dementia diagnosis in question

By Madi Marks

The Brief

• • Wendy Williams has been confined to a room in an assisted living facility and has only been allowed outside twice in 30 days, according to TMZ.
  • Harvey Levin claims Williams may have been misdiagnosed with dementia and has improved since becoming sober.
  • Despite her reported progress, her guardian has refused to release her.

A source told FOX 4 News that Wendy Williams has been confined to a room and has only been allowed outside twice in the past 30 days due to her guardianship.

TMZ’s Harvey Levin believes Williams was misdiagnosed and has improved since becoming sober.

What we know:

Levin recently interviewed Williams from the street, claiming she is locked in a room at an assisted living facility in New York with no internet access. He said she is rarely allowed visitors and has only been outside twice in the past month.

"She rightly feels like a prisoner," Levin said.

According to Levin, Williams is back to her old self, but her guardian refuses to release her.

Wendy Williams’ Conservatorship

Williams was placed under guardianship a few years ago following struggles with alcohol.

Levin described the arrangement as one where she has been "locked up and the key thrown away."

Frontotemporal Dementia

Williams was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023. This disease causes behavioral and personality deterioration, eventually leading to difficulty speaking and understanding others, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

There is no cure or specific treatment for frontotemporal dementia, and the condition progressively worsens. Over time, most people with the disease develop muscle weakness and coordination problems, making them unable to leave their beds.

Actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2022.

Alcohol-Induced Dementia

A similar condition, alcohol-induced dementia, differs in that it can sometimes be reversed with treatment.

Symptoms of alcohol-related dementia include memory loss and difficulty with daily tasks caused by excessive alcohol consumption over time. However, the Alzheimer’s Association notes that the condition does not necessarily worsen. With proper treatment, a person’s condition can improve.

If someone stops drinking alcohol and maintains a balanced diet, their cognitive function may recover. Initial alcohol withdrawal can cause delirium, confusion, and distraction.

Williams has been sober.

Where is Wendy Williams Now?

Wendy Williams is in an assisted living home in New York.

Wendy Williams Update

What's next:

Williams’ guardian has said she will undergo further evaluation but does not expect her diagnosis to change.

Levin has questioned how the guardian could be certain without input from a specialist. He claims to have spoken with Williams for hours over the past month and believes she continues to improve.

What you can do:

TMZ’s special documentary on Williams’ situation, Saving Wendy, is available for free on Tubi.

Full Article & Source:
TMZ: Wendy Williams 'locked up in a room', dementia diagnosis in question

See Also:
FIGHT FOR FREEDOM Wendy Williams’ lawyer to ‘file petition to terminate guardianship’ after struggling star claims she’s ‘in a prison’

Wendy Williams Dementia Denial Pushes Legal Guardian To Order A New Medical Evaluation

Judge allows Wendy Williams to fly to Miami to celebrate her father’s 94th birthday amid guardianship battle

Why Wendy Williams Reportedly Fired Attorney Amid #FreeWendy Battle

Britney Spears Steps in to Help Wendy Williams Get Out of 'Abusive' Conservatorship

Wendy Williams

Three Years After Britney, Wendy Williams Shows Celebrity Conservatorships May Still Be Toxic to Women

Senator Palumbo and Families Push for Guardianship Reform Urge Passage of Karilyn’s Law in 2025

Former nursing home worker sentenced to jail for elder abuse; cases continue for two other suspects

A former Guthrie nursing home employee has been sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy and elder abuse following a disturbing investigation into misconduct at Golden Age Nursing Home.

Jade Williams, 22, was sentenced Tuesday after a Guthrie detective, Williams, and her mother provided testimony in court. Williams, who showed emotion while reading from a prepared statement, received two 10-year sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC).

The first charge includes eight years suspended, meaning she could serve up to two years behind bars. Then she will begin serving 8.5 mandatory years on the second charge which is required (85% crime) of her sentence before being eligible for release.

Williams was arrested in July along with Aubrey Granata, 22, and McKenzie Bolfa, 21, following a two-month investigation by the Guthrie Police Department. The investigation began after a former nursing home employee came forward with disturbing allegations against their co-workers.

Court documents reveal that Williams, Granata, and Bolfa exchanged Snapchat videos and photos showing residents in degrading and inhumane conditions. One video depicted an elderly resident lying on a bed wearing only a shirt and a diaper, with fecal matter on the sheets and socks. Another video showed a male resident lying nude from the waist down. Additionally, photos surfaced of deceased residents being mocked by the workers.

“It’s probably one of the saddest things,” Guthrie Police Chief Don Sweger said in a previous interview. “We take service to everybody very responsibly, but especially for those who don’t have a voice for themselves.”

As part of her sentencing, Williams must complete a drug offender work camp while in DOC custody, undergo drug and alcohol evaluations and follow all recommendations, submit to random drug testing, undergo a mental health evaluation and follow all recommendations, obtain employment or enroll in school, complete 300 hours of community service upon release, address fines and court costs within 180 days of release.

Meanwhile, Granata and Bolfa have pleaded not guilty in their cases and are expected back in court in March.

Golden Age director, Tandie Hastings, issued a statement, last year, in response to the allegations: “Golden Age Nursing Home endeavors to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. Upon receiving information related to certain allegations against its employees, the facility began working with local law enforcement and other appropriate authorities to respond. The employees involved had cleared background checks, were educated related to resident’s rights/safety, and have been terminated from employment. We are committed to protecting the privacy and safety of the residents and families involved and will continue to keep them updated with any developments related to this matter.”

The accused, 22-year-old Aubrey Granata, 22-year-old Jade Williams, and 21-year-old McKenzie Bolfa, are now facing serious charges of elderly abuse.

Full Article & Source:
Former nursing home worker sentenced to jail for elder abuse; cases continue for two other suspects

Michigan Guardianship Diversion Project: Year in Review and a Look Ahead

Year in Review and a Look Ahead

As noted in the main article, MGDP is very proud of the impact seen in Bay County.  Bay County Probate Court has particularly embraced the goals of the MGDP by referring prospective petitioners to the project before they file for guardianship and allowing time in pending cases for consideration of less restrictive alternatives. Some service providers in Bay County, including nursing homes and attorneys, have also sought the project’s assistance in working with individuals at risk of guardianship.  Project staff have assisted dozens of Bay County residents in understanding legal rights and requirements, considering options, and obtaining services.  In part due to MGDP, guardianship and conservatorship cases have been reduced by approximately 42%. Last month, the Bay County Probate Register wrote to MGDP staff: “I cannot express enough how much the program has benefited the citizens of Bay County!  The program works!”

In Bay County, having MGDP staff physically present in the county, well-connected to the court and community resources, and available for in-person meetings and court visits has been extremely helpful. In addition, the Court’s enthusiasm for the project has been essential to its success. In all the counties, MGDP has been successful educating individuals about alternatives and dispelling myths about when guardianship is appropriate or necessary. 

In one case, an older gentleman with mental and physical health challenges who used a motorized scooter for mobility was facing both eviction from his apartment and a potential guardianship.  By working with the individual and his sister and collaborating with Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, MGDP was able to help the gentleman avoid guardianship and eviction, obtain services, and execute a power of attorney.  As a result, the individual maintained his autonomy, was able to remain living in the community, had a trusted person empowered to make decisions for him if he became unable to make them himself, and had access to both community-based and legal services to assist him in the future. At the same time, the court was spared the burden of another case on its guardianship docket.

MGDP has, however, worked on a number of cases in which individuals with complex needs could utilize less restrictive alternatives but require extensive case management services to ensure they can benefit from available resources.  In the absence of programs and services that provide that extensive support and coordination for weeks or months—a service MGDP is unable to provide—the individual remains at high risk of guardianship.

Project staff are eager to assist in more cases and continue to actively participate in local multi-disciplinary teams, provide training, reach out to entities that frequently file for guardianship such as APS, and keep in touch with the probate courts.  We are also exploring various strategies to increase referrals.

Source:
Michigan Guardianship Diversion Project: Year in Review and a Look Ahead

Programs fight financial exploitation of senior citizens

by VICTORIA WITKE

This graphic shows that the number of cases referred to Michigan’s Adult Protective Services has risen substantially in recent years. (Graphic information courtesy of Michigan Department of Health & Human Services)

ISHPEMING — Recently, a man and woman were charged with financially exploiting an 87-year-old Rochester Hills man by fraudulently gaining his legal power of attorney.

Kirk Lanam of Hartland is accused by the state Attorney General’s Office of embezzling over $400,000 for himself and his nonprofit, while Shelley Letzer of West Bloomfield allegedly stole thousands by, among other means, writing herself checks. Both were arraigned in an Oakland County district court.

About two out of three older adults report someone attempting to scam them and are uncertain about their ability to identify fraud schemes, according to the Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging from the University of Michigan.

Michigan is a leading state in the number of residents 65 years and older, said Cynthia Farrell, the division director of adult services in the Department of Health & Human Services.

Referrals to Adult Protective Services have steadily increased since 2000, and there were over 4,000 financial exploitation referrals in the 2024 fiscal year.

A new Michigan State University study done in rural communities shows preventative training empowers family caregivers, service professionals and seniors to report and prevent financial exploitation of older adults with cognitive decline.

The study by social work professor Fei Sun divided participants into two test groups in Otsego, Crawford, Marquette and Alpena counties.

In the first and most effective test, caregivers and their elderly relatives were educated on financial abuse.

Then, caseworkers from the community, trained by the researchers, followed up with home and virtual visits to identify risks, goals and strategies to reduce fraud.

In the comparison group, family members and vulnerable seniors received one group lesson on exploitation at community centers.

Sun then surveyed the participants six and nine months later to test the program’s effectiveness.

Sun said even if communities lack the resources for caseworkers, the study shows that “simple community-based education, even just the one time, could be beneficial in raising people’s awareness and preventing financial abuse and fraud.”

Annie Hepburn is the director of the Alpena Senior Citizens Center and a participant in the study. Through a home visit, she found one of the center’s seniors was a victim of financial exploitation.

“Moving forward, I worked with him on plans on what would be real and what isn’t real,” Hepburn said. “You can’t just trust everybody. If people are requesting money, that is a red flag.”

Hepburn said every day the center has members saying they were caught in scams, but the program through Sun’s study has strengthened the trust between seniors and caseworkers.

Even after the study, the seniors ask for more programs and still reach out to staff with questions, she said.

“I’m very excited to know that they are confident enough to come to us,” Hepburn said.

The study’s training curriculum was based on a course by Peter Lichtenberg, a national expert on financial capacity assessment and financial exploitation of older adults.

Lichtenburg, the past director of the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University, said most agencies and organizations in the state, including Adult Protective Services, use his scale.

The first two chapters of Lichtenberg’s course are about assessing financial decision-making and patterns of exploitation. They break down how exploitation happens and include a vulnerability survey so seniors can recognize their risks.

According to Farrell, the director of adult services, a major risk factor for older rural Michigan residents is isolation because seniors have less access to resources in those communities and relatives often move away.

Lichtenberg said, “One of the things that happen with isolation is you tend to speed up your judgment and decision making and tend to be very receptive to anybody who is good at knowing how to present themselves as similar to you, having the same values, having the same beliefs you have.”

Farrell said scammers pretend to be lottery officials, romantic interests or grandchildren.

Schemes can pretend to fix fake bugs on computers, which she said are often seniors’ “ability to talk to other people and connect with the outside world if they are isolated.”

“We try to educate the public about those things,” Farrell said, “especially our seniors, who are usually the ones who have the cash, the assets that can be exploited.”

Free online resources for seniors, caregivers and professionals based on Lichtenberg’s course are provided at www.olderadultnestegg.com.

Full Article & Source:
Programs fight financial exploitation of senior citizens

Morgan Stanley Ordered to Pay $843,000 in Elder Fraud Case

by Karmen Alexander

Morgan Stanley was ordered to pay $843,000 in compensatory damages to a senior investor in Tampa, Florida, in a case that highlights potential risks for firms when clients fall victim to scams. 

Marjorie Kessler, a septuagenarian, alleged the firm was negligent in failing to prevent financial exploitation after she lost nearly $1.75 million to fraudsters posing as government officials, according to a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority arbitration award on Monday and a copy of her complaint. 

Scammers convinced Kessler that her identity had been stolen and she needed to convert her assets to cash, gold and cryptocurrency that would be deposited into a U.S. Treasury account for safe keeping, according to the complaint. In July and August 2023, she withdrew the funds from her Morgan Stanley account in two large transfers. 

Kessler alleged that Morgan Stanley should have investigated her “uncharacteristic” requests to withdraw the money and also that it failed to take “reasonable” steps to ensure she had established a trusted contact for her account as required by Finra rules.  

The panel, including three public arbitrators, appeared convinced that Morgan Stanley did not take sufficient steps to investigate the second large withdrawal or put in place a trusted contact, according to Kessler’s lawyer, Lloyd R. Schwed of Schwed Kahle & Kress in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. They deducted the first transfer amount from Kessler’s $1.75 million damage request because they concluded Morgan Stanley did not have enough evidence to investigate, Schwed said. 

“I am very grateful to the arbitrators for understanding how vulnerable senior investors are to tech support and government impersonation scams,” Schwed said. 

Morgan Stanley in a counterclaim said it had acted prudently given the circumstances. Kessler, who had shown no indications of cognitive impairment, made misstatements to her advisor about the purpose of the withdrawals, including saying that she was helping her daughter purchase a home. 

The funds were also transferred to a bank account in Kessler’s name at Wells Fargo and from there diverted to the scammers. 

A spokesperson for Morgan Stanley expressed sympathy for Kessler and noted that it “is important to keep in mind that this fraud did not occur at Morgan Stanley.”

“Further, the Firm should not be held responsible for her losses as Ms. Kessler made misstatements to her Financial Advisor about the purpose of the transfers, and authorized them to be sent to a third-party bank account held in her name,” the spokesperson said in a statement. 

Elder fraud is a major concern for advisors and their clients as well as firms and regulators, including Finra which has been expanding options for firms to freeze funds and take other measures in cases of suspected abuse. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said that in 2023 it received complaints representing $3.4 billion in losses reported by those over age 60 who claimed they had fallen victim to scams. Those over 60 lost more than all other age groups combined, according to its most recent elder fraud report.

Full Article & Source:
Morgan Stanley Ordered to Pay $843,000 in Elder Fraud Case

MTV VJ Matt Pinfield’s Family in Battle Over His Conservatorship Following Stroke

 by Martin Holmes

The family of radio host and former MTV VJ Matt Pinfield is currently embroiled in a legal battle over his conservatorship, relating to a massive stroke the star suffered in January. 

As reported by People, court documents show that Matt’s 38-year-old daughter, Jessica Pinfield, has filed for conservatorship of her 63-year-old father after a stroke left him hospitalized last month.

However, Matt’s girlfriend, Kara Brown, and his brother, Glenn Pinfield, have opposed the conservatorship, alleging that Jessica is attempting to isolate Matt from the rest of his family.

According to the opposition filing, which was filed to a Superior Court in Los Angeles on Friday (February 7), Brown and Glenn have asked a Los Angeles County judge to deny Jessica’s petition for conservatorship, which was filed soon after Matt was admitted to hospital on January 6.

In the original filing, Jessica expressed concern that Brown had taken control of Matt’s bank accounts and apartment and, therefore, wanted to file for conservatorship to protect his property and money. She also claimed her father was “incompetent to make decisions” due to his current health conditions.

Brown and Glenn dispute these allegations, noting that Brown, who has been dating Matt for three years, had been by his side since the day he was taken to hospital after the stroke. Brown claimed in the filing that Matt had been “lucid and engaged — both with me and with hospital staff” when he designated her as his emergency contact and personal representative.

“I spent most of my time during the first week of Matt’s hospitalization at his bedside. At that time, he was talking to me in full sentences,” Brown stated, per People. “His doctor went over his MRI with me in detail and we were encouraged at that time that Matt would make a full recovery. I was led to believe he would be discharged within a few weeks.”

She went on to say that when Jessica visited the hospital on January 14, she “unprompted, accused me of being on drugs and blaming me for Matt’s stroke.”

“These accusations are untrue,” Brown added. “I felt it was Jessica’s intention here to destroy my credibility with the hospital staff. Rather than argue, I left the hospital in deference to Jessica.” When she returned to the hospital two days later, she was told her visitation rights had been rescinded but “was not told why.”

“This was heartbreaking for me and made worse by the lack of available, reliable information about Matt’s condition,” she continued. “I was told he had contracted MRSA/pneumonia, which had become life threatening and that he did not have a ‘massive’ stroke as Jessica claimed. This conflicting information has left me very confused.”

Glenn added that Jessica’s filing for conservatorship came as a shock to the entire family. He and Brown have asked the judge to either deny her request for full conservatorship or provide more time for the family to make a decision on the best arrangement moving forward.

Matt first entered the spotlight in 1992 when he appeared on an episode of MTV’s reality show The Real World. He’d go on to host MTV’s 120 Minutes in 1995, beginning a career of hosting various shows for the network, including MattRock, Pinfield Suite, Pinfield Presents, Say What?, Rocks Off, and MTV Live.

He later went on to DJ for SiriusXM and most recently became the afternoon drive-time host for KCSN, a AAA-format public radio station based in Los Angeles.

Full Article & Source:
MTV VJ Matt Pinfield’s Family in Battle Over His Conservatorship Following Stroke

2 charged with elder abuse in dementia patient's death in Santa Cruz County

Source:
2 charged with elder abuse in dementia patient's death in Santa Cruz County

Two Accused of Abusing, Stealing From Dead 66-Year-Old Woman in Franklin County

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said two women were arrested after deputies found a woman dead and recovered items stolen from her.

Source:
Two Accused of Abusing, Stealing From Dead 66-Year-Old Woman in Franklin County

FIGHT FOR FREEDOM Wendy Williams’ lawyer to ‘file petition to terminate guardianship’ after struggling star claims she’s ‘in a prison’

The star insists she is not 'cognitively impaired'

by Jessica Finn

The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal that Wendy Williams' attorney is filing a petition to terminate the star's guardianshipCredit: Lifetime

WENDY Williams' attorney is set to file a petition to terminate her guardianship after the ex-TV host claimed she's "in a prison."

A source close to Wendy, 60, told The U.S. Sun that a filing is expected this week that could potentially free the star from her very restrictive guardianship.

"A petition to terminate Wendy's guardianship is about to be filed by her court-appointed personal attorney after it was drafted last week," a source told The U.S. Sun.

The insider said there is just one step before the significant petition gets filed into New York's Surrogate Court, where guardianships are litigated.

"It's going to be filed into court as soon as Wendy signs off on it, which should be any moment now if it hasn't been signed already," the source continued.

Wendy had two court-appointed attorneys as her co-counsel since the beginning of her guardianship, which was put in place in March 2022, as The U.S. Sun exclusively reported at the time. 

The former The Wendy Williams Show host told Power 105.1's The Breakfast Club last week that she fired her attorney Linda Redlisky, after the lawyer allegedly failed to file paperwork to get a trial about whether the guardianship was necessary.

It appears her remaining attorney has taken up the star's latest request. 

The insider assured The U.S. Sun that "WWH is in very good hands here."

The iconic host is referred to as WWH for Wendy Williams Hunter within the guardianship case.

The petition set to be filed is in stark contrast with the latest filing on behalf of Wendy's guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, in the dispute filed against Lifetime for the Where is Wendy Williams? docuseries.

In that filing, Wendy's guardian said they would re-evaluate the extent of her guardianship after the star said she did not want to litigate against Lifetime, calling the suit "blood money."

That filing, submitted to the court last week, requests a stay in the Lifetime matter pending a review in which Wendy will "undergo a new medical evaluation that will involve comprehensive neurological and psychological testing by a specialist in the field."

Despite the seemingly good-faith effort to reevaluate Wendy's cognitive ability to decide whether or not the lawsuit against Lifetime should go forward, the filing ends on a fairly ominous note. 

"The Guardian has no interest in pursuing litigation in the extremely unlikely event that the new medical examination finds that W.W.H. somehow now has the mental capacity to direct the A&E matter."

The U.S. Sun has reached out to Wendy's guardian and her former guardianship co-council for comment.

WENDY BREAKS HER SILENCE

Last month the star broke her long silence since vanishing from the public eye in March 2023.

She did several interviews slamming her guardian and begged for her freedom from the New York City medical facility she is currently held in.

Wendy told The Breakfast Club, "I am not cognitively impaired."

"But I feel like I am in prison. I'm in this place where the people are in their 90s and their 80s and their 70s," she continued.

"For the last three years, I have been caught up in the system. This has been three years. I'm caught up in this system," she said, referring to the beginning of her guardianship back in 2022.

During that interview, she burst into tears and accused her guardian of "emotional abuse."

'PERMANENTLY INCAPACITATED'

Wendy's guardian Sabrina Morrissey's legal team labeled the star "permanently incapacitated" in court documents filed into the Lifetime lawsuit, first exclusively revealed by The U.S. Sun.

In the scathing interviews about her guardianship, Wendy asked The Breakfast Club hosts, as well as subsequent interviews with Don Lemon and Jason Lee of Hollywood Unlocked, "Do I sound incapacitated to you?"

Wendy lost her wildly popular daytime talk show after a series of personal problems that saw her absent for the entirety of the final season in 2022.

Wendy's guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, recently submitted a filing in a case against Lifetime calling any changes to the star's guardianship "extremely unlikely"Credit: News Enterprises Inc.

Wendy broke her silence in several scathing interviews recently calling the medical facility she is in a 'luxury prison' and slammed her guardian for 'emotional abuse'Credit: AP

Wendy lost her wildly popular daytime talk show after being absent for the entirety of the final seasonCredit: Wendy Williams Show

Full Article & Source:
FIGHT FOR FREEDOM Wendy Williams’ lawyer to ‘file petition to terminate guardianship’ after struggling star claims she’s ‘in a prison’

See Also:
Wendy Williams Dementia Denial Pushes Legal Guardian To Order A New Medical Evaluation

Judge allows Wendy Williams to fly to Miami to celebrate her father’s 94th birthday amid guardianship battle

Why Wendy Williams Reportedly Fired Attorney Amid #FreeWendy Battle

Britney Spears Steps in to Help Wendy Williams Get Out of 'Abusive' Conservatorship

Wendy Williams

Three Years After Britney, Wendy Williams Shows Celebrity Conservatorships May Still Be Toxic to Women

Senator Palumbo and Families Push for Guardianship Reform Urge Passage of Karilyn’s Law in 2025

Man found guilty of brutally assaulting elderly pro-life advocates outside Baltimore Planned Parenthood

A Baltimore jury convicted 28-year-old Patrick Brice on two counts of second-degree assault and reckless endangerment for savagely attacking pro-lifers Mark Crosby, 73, and Dick Schaefer, 80, outside of a Planned Parenthood abortion center in 2023.

Mark Crosby (second from left), Dick Schaefer (second from right)

BALTIMORE (LifeSiteNews) — A 28-year old man was found guilty of savagely beating two elderly pro-life men, Mark Crosby and Dick Schaefer, outside Planned Parenthood in Baltimore in May 2023.

“The jury deliberated for about two hours and convicted Patrick Brice in Baltimore Circuit Court of two counts of second-degree assault and reckless endangerment for attacking Schaefer and Crosby,” according to a report by The Baltimore Banner’s Dylan Segelbaum.

Crosby and Schaefer were ages 73 and 80 at the time.

LifeSiteNews previously reported that the pro-life advocates were brutally attacked while engaging in their sidewalk ministry outside the Planned Parenthood abortion facility on North Howard Street in Baltimore.

Schaefer reportedly recovered at home, but Crosby went to the University of Maryland’s shock trauma facility to receive treatment for serious injuries to his skull and eye socket as well as his knees and fingers.

Crosby’s right eye was blinded and he suffered a concussion.

LifeSiteNews conducted a video interview with Crosby and Schaefer outside Baltimore’s Planned Parenthood facility a few days after the unprovoked attack.

Crosby told LifeSiteNews at the time that he and Schaefer were engaged in their pro-life ministry when an unknown man approached, told Crosby to stay in the street, handed his drink to an abortion “escort,” and then charged into Schaefer who had his back to him, causing the pro-life advocate to fall against a planter and hit the ground.

A witness said that the then-as-yet-unidentified suspect previously engaged in a “visibly aggressive conversation” with Schaefer before knocking him to the ground.

Schaefer said that he had been speaking with someone just before he was attacked, but couldn’t be sure of who assaulted him because he had his back turned at the time.

“When I got hit, I didn’t see anybody,” he said.

“He speared the one gentleman over that flowerpot into the window and knocked him out. He was out cold for several minutes,” one witness said, according to WBAL. The outlet noted that “[i]t’s believed the assailant didn’t like Schaefer’s anti-abortion message.”

“I was worried he was going to be thrown up into the plate-glass window, but he went through the planter,” Crosby told Hale. “Dick hit the ground. He kicks Dick, I come over to help. He grabs my medals and yanks them off. He didn’t get to my rosary.”

After rushing over to help Schaefer, Crosby was “punched, knocked down, and kicked in the head.”

“I went in there and he was on a gurney. His face was all swollen and bloody, blood all over his clothes,” Schaefer said regarding Crosby, according to WBAL.

Brice will be sentenced on March 20.

Full Article & Source:
Man found guilty of brutally assaulting elderly pro-life advocates outside Baltimore Planned Parenthood

American Pickers star Frank Fritz's friend challenges his will four months after his death

The will of American Pickers star Frank Fritz, who died on September 30, 2024, at age 60 following a stroke in 2022, is being challenged by a friend of the late reality star

By Natalie HunterDeputy TV & Showbiz Editor & Kathleen O'Boyle

The estate of late American Pickers star Frank Fritz is now the center of a heated legal battle after his tragic passing. A close friend of the star has contested his will, demanding a trial to determine the fate of his $6 million fortune.

This comes just four months after Frank's death at age 60, following a stroke in 2022. The will had been filed prior to the American Pickers star's death in October 2023 for safekeeping and was approved shortly after his passing.

However, the case took a twist when the friend's attorney officially entered the fray in December. On February 3, 2025, a petition was filed to invalidate the will entirely. As the case is sealed, the public remains unaware of the details. Before his death, Frank, who suffered a debilitating stroke at his Iowa farmhouse, was under conservatorship due to impaired decision-making abilities.

In an unfortunate turn of events, a guardianship has been set up for the History Channel personality, with his pal Chris Davis stepping in as guardian and MidWestOne Bank taking on the role of conservator. Court documents highlighted the severity of his condition, revealing that after suffering a stroke, he could no longer take care of himself or manage his impressive collection of antiques, reports the Express US.

The papers stated: "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."

Friend and antique aficionado Jerry Gendreau is already prepping for what’s expected to be a blockbuster auction of Frank's treasured items, given his strong fan following. "That's what I would do because of his fan base, I think he'll do really, really well with an auction," Jerry had expressed to The .us. Sun.

Additionally, visitors to Frank’s Savanna, Illinois establishment, known as Frank Fritz Finds, might soon witness a special display, potentially featuring Frank’s cherished motorcycles. "We may display motorcycles and choppers that represent Frank," said Jerry, hinting at the possibility of a transformation to highlight these gems within his store, currently styled as a quaint 1880s general store.

"Right now it's set up as an 1880s general store. Maybe they'll be bikes on a rack all the way down the center."

Full Article & Source:
American Pickers star Frank Fritz's friend challenges his will four months after his death

See Also:
FRANK'S KEEPSAKES American Pickers star Frank Fritz’s antiques including his motorcycle collection to be auctioned off after tragic death

'American Pickers' star Frank Fritz dead at 60

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

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

‘American Pickers’ Frank Fritz’s Will Disputed In Court

By Shawn Lealos

American Pickers star Frank Fritz died last September, two years after suffering a debilitating stroke in July 2022. However, over four months after his death, a lawyer filed a challenge to Frank’s will. The lawsuit wants a trial to determine the fate of Frank’s estate.

Here is what you need to know about the upcoming legal battle.

Frank Fritz’s Will Facing Legal Challenge

Frank died in September 2024, and Frank’s lawyer filed a “will prior to death” to “safe-keep” the document in October 2023, a year after his stroke (via The U.S. Sun). A certificate was issued to approve the will three weeks after Frank died. However, one of Frank’s friends had an attorney enter an appearance on her behalf in December.

In February, a different attorney filed a Petition in Probate to “set aside will and jury demand.” Technically, this means that the attorney wants the courts to invalidate Frank’s will. However, there are no open records of the arguments behind this as the case was “sealed,” and documents are not available to the public.

Frank’s net worth when he died was around $6 million.

After Frank’s stroke in July 2022, his loved ones filed a conservatorship and guardianship to protect Frank’s health and finances. His friend Chris Davis served as the guardian, and MidWestOne Bank was the conservator. There was also a paper shared in the case at that time that Frank did not have decisional capacity.

“Decisions must be made for Mr. Fritz’s care and placement while he continues to recover and receive treatment for his injuries,” the legal papers read. “Appointment of a guardian and conservator is necessary to avoid immediate harm to him.”

What Happens Next With Frank Fritz’s Will & Net Worth?

Frank owned Frank Fritz Finds in Savannah, Illinois. This included a huge category of items as well as several outbuildings. The court papers listed his annual income of $60,000 from investments, and he was unemployed at the time with no debts listed under his name.

Frank’s long-time friend Jerry Gendreau said there would be an auction for all his antiques. Jerry said this should go well thanks to all of Frank’s fans, and it would spread out these valuables to people who loved and followed the reality TV star. Jerry also said that Frank’s story inside Hawgdogs would remain operational.

It is unclear what will happen with Frank’s will and his fortune. The main argument, it seems, is that the will was made after the stroke when Frank was no longer able to make his own legal decisions. It will come down to who updated the will and whether they legally could do so.

Full Article & Source:
‘American Pickers’ Frank Fritz’s Will Disputed In Court

Woman accused of gambling away mom’s money

by Rachel Foor

A Claysburg woman is accused of gambling away nearly $100,000 after telling her brother that she couldn’t afford their care-dependent mother’s medical copays.

Rebecca Ann Fawks, 58, was arraigned Friday by Magisterial District Judge Tonya M. Osman on a single felony count of financial exploitation of an older adult or care-dependent person and 34 felony counts of forgery – unauthorized act in writing. She remains free on $200,000 unsecured bail.

The victim’s son contacted state police at Bedford on Jan. 14 to report the alleged forgery/theft. He told the officer that he became his parents’ power of attorney in 2010, and in 2022, his parents received a $100,000 settlement after being involved in a serious car accident. His parents then sold their home and bought a house in Claysburg so his sister, Fawks, could live with and take care of them, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

Fawks was to help care for the victim financially after their father passed away in April 2024 because the victim was declining cognitively. When the victim broke her pelvis in July 2024, she moved into a rehab center for care. Fawks then contacted the victim’s son in August 2024 and said she didn’t have the money to pay for the victim’s rehab copays because she gambled it all away, the police report states.

The victim’s son was able to obtain the victim’s bank transaction statements and copies of the checks written from the victim’s checking account dating back to January 2020. 

He told officers their mother would never withdraw that significant amount of money from an ATM or write that large of checks to Fawks. When he confronted Fawks, she admitted to using their mother’s debit card to withdraw money from ATMs and forging checks from their mother, according to the report.

The victim’s son provided the officer with copies of the bank documents, which showed that between June 2022 and December 2024, Fawks had stolen about $29,650 using 34 forged checks, about $64,443 through ATM withdrawals and about $1,091 in ATM withdrawal fees, totaling about $95,184, court documents show.

In an interview at the state police station on Jan. 31, the officer asked Fawks why she thought she was there, to which she said “blowing my mother’s money” and “I have a very bad gambling addiction.” She told the officer she started taking money out of the victim’s account in 2022. Fawks admitted to forging the victim’s signatures on checks and using the money for gambling at PA Skills machines. When asked how much money she thought she took between 2022 and 2024, Fawks said “probably $100,000” and that all of it was spent on gambling, according to the report.

Fawks is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in front of Osman on Feb. 19.

Full Article & Source:
Woman accused of gambling away mom’s money

Local Business Owner Arrested for Exploitation of Elderly Male for Stealing Over $34,000, Residence

A Mims woman faces felony charges for allegedly exploiting a 70-year-old man with a traumatic brain injury, draining his bank accounts, seizing his home, and racking up thousands in unauthorized credit card debt, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed in the Circuit Court of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.

Crystal Ann Hackney, 38, of Mims, is accused of exploiting Dennis Taschner, a vulnerable elderly man who trusted her to manage his finances. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) alleges Hackney siphoned over $34,000 from Taschner’s bank accounts via Zelle transfers, fraudulently acquired a home for $1,000, and maxed out his credit card on luxury purchases, leaving him destitute and hospitalized under a Baker Act.

Crystal Hackney, BCSO Booking Image via Arrest Warrent

How the Exploitation Unfolded
According to the affidavit, Taschner met Hackney in 2022 at a local Save-A-Lot store. Taschner, who suffered speech difficulties and mobility limitations after a car accident, sought help managing his finances and daily life. Hackney, who owns C’s Waffles in Downtown Titusville, offered assistance and was added as a joint owner to his Wells Fargo account in March 2023.

Investigators say Hackney quickly gained control of Taschner’s assets. Bank records show she withdrew $25,000 in cash from his account in March 2023, claiming Taschner wanted to buy a trailer. Over the next year, she allegedly transferred $34,064 from his account to her personal Bank of America account via Zelle, often in small increments to avoid detection. By July 2024, his account balance plummeted to $0.86.

Taschner’s USAA credit card, which had a $0 balance and $5,500 limit in March 2023, was allegedly maxed out by Hackney on purchases from Gucci, Calvin Klein, and hotels. By August 2024, the card carried a $6,215 balance.

Property Seized Through Questionable Deed
The affidavit reveals Hackney convinced Taschner to sign a Quit Claim Deed in March 2023, transferring ownership of his Mims home on Cambridge Drive to herself and a boyfriend for $1,000.

Taschner told investigators he believed Hackney would sell the home and donate the proceeds to St Jude’s Hospital. Instead, Hackney renovated the property, listed it for rent for $1,000 on Facebook, and moved Taschner into a camper.

When confronted, Hackney claimed the $1,000 sale was “fair” due to the home’s “deplorable condition,” despite its market value exceeding $100,000. Property records confirm Taschner purchased the home for $72,000 in 2016.

Hospitalization and Discovery
Taschner’s financial ruin came to light in April 2024 after he was hospitalized under a Baker Act for a suicide attempt. Nurses discovered his near-empty bank account, prompting an investigation. By then, Hackney had cut off his access to his accounts, identification, and phone, according to the affidavit.

“She took control over my life and left me with nothing,” Taschner told investigators in a recorded interview. “I trusted her, and she betrayed me.”

Hackney’s Defense and Investigation
Hackney, interviewed in August 2024, denied wrongdoing. She claimed Taschner authorized all transactions and insisted she reimbursed herself for expenses like his $650/month lot rent and hotel stays. However, she failed to provide receipts or proof of a valid Power of Attorney, which she verbally cited but never substantiated.

BCSO Agent Candice Watson, a Certified Fraud Examiner, noted Hackney’s Bank of America records showed spending on liquor, clothing, and personal bills—not Taschner’s care. Hackney also listed the Cambridge Drive home for sale in late 2024, but the deal stalled when title companies flagged the suspicious deed.

Legal Consequences and Victim’s Recovery
Taschner, now residing in a Titusville behavioral health facility, has been assigned a fiduciary to manage his finances. The VA is investigating benefit checks mailed to his former address, which Hackney allegedly intercepted.

Hackney faces charges under Florida Statute 825.103(2)(b) for exploiting an elderly person, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. A warrant for her arrest was signed February 4, 2025 and she was arrested by Brevard Couty Sheriff’s Deputies on February 6, 2025

BCSO urges anyone with information to contact their Economic Crimes Unit at 321-633-7162. 

This story is based on court records and affidavits. Charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Full Article & Source:
Local Business Owner Arrested for Exploitation of Elderly Male for Stealing Over $34,000, Residence

Billie Jean - Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy en Michael Jackson

Source:
Billie Jean - Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy en Michael Jackson