Bills would cap number of guardianship clients, require monthly visits

by: The Unicameral Update

In the wake of evidence of guardians who are not adequately serving their clients, the Judiciary Committee heard testimony Jan. 29 on two proposals that seek to improve Nebraska’s guardianship system.

LB 985, sponsored by Bennington Sen. Wendy DeBoer, would prohibit a private person from accepting appointment as a guardian or conservator if they already have 20 clients.

DeBoer said the cap would mirror the one already in place for the state’s Office of Public Guardian, which serves as guardian when no alternative is available.

While abuse by a guardian is rare, she said, it does occur. In December of last year, she said, an alleged case of fraud and abuse was made possible, in part, by the lack of a cap on how many clients a private guardian may serve.

“The more individuals you serve as a guardian for, the more accounts you have access to and the more you can bill for your services,” DeBoer said. “In order to limit the potential for abuse, I believe a cap is necessary.”

Amy Miller testified in support of LB 985 on behalf of Disability Rights Nebraska. She said the organization has spent the last three years researching the state’s guardianship system.

Approximately 10,000 people are under guardianship in Nebraska, she said, and an estimated 90% of those are full guardianships — meaning the guardian makes almost all life decisions for the client.

“Your guardian gets to decide where you live, what type of medical care you receive, whether you’re able to get a job or take classes and all of the money matters related to your life,” Miller said. “It’s hard to imagine how one person with even 20 wards under their care could thoroughly represent all of those issues for so many people.”

Jina Ragland also supported the measure. Speaking on behalf of AARP Nebraska, she said a caseload cap would ensure that guardians aren’t stretched too thin.

“This [bill] would increase the likelihood that they could spend more time with older adults and respond quickly to emergencies,” Ragland said.

Tim Hruza testified in opposition to LB 985 on behalf of the Nebraska State Bar Association. Being a guardian is difficult and intense work, he said, and making it harder to find individuals who are willing to serve may not be the answer.

“Our concern is simply that a cap of 20, while well intended … may not get to the root cause [of the problem],” Hruza said.

The committee also heard testimony on LB 1178, sponsored by DeBoer, which would allow individuals under a guardianship or conservatorship to attend required hearings either virtually or in person. The bill also would require guardians to make at least monthly monitoring visits, keep written records of those visits and maintain periodic contact with care providers.

Finally, the bill would authorize courts to award costs and reasonable attorney’s fees in specified proceedings, payable either from the trust involved or by another party.

“Monthly visits ensure guardians actually know their ward’s current condition, living situation and needs, and are not just managing their affairs on paper,” DeBoer said.

Miller testified in favor of LB 1178. Currently, she said, guardians file an annual report that consists of two pages of questions. In examining those reports, she said, Disability Rights Nebraska found one attorney who indicated that he did not visit his ward of 10 years who lived only eight miles away.

“If any guardian doesn’t visit, how do they know the condition of their ward?” Miller said. “It makes common sense to go lay eyes on a person.”

No one testified in opposition to LB 1178 and the committee took no immediate action on either proposal.

The Unicameral Update is the official news service of the Nebraska Legislature. 

Full Article & Source:
Bills would cap number of guardianship clients, require monthly visits 

New York Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in PayPal Scam Targeting Elderly Seabrook Resident

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Date: February 02, 2026 

 

Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella announces that Li Geng Lin, age 58, of Flushing, New York, has been sentenced in the Rockingham County Superior Court for his role in a PayPal scam that targeted an elderly Seabrook woman. 

The investigation revealed that on the afternoon of June 2, 2025, the victim was contacted by someone pretending to work for PayPal. The caller falsely claimed that the victim owed PayPal money and instructed her to withdraw $20,000 in cash from her bank. The caller told the victim to lie to anyone who asked what the money was for, warning that she would otherwise lose access to her financial accounts. After the victim obtained the cash, the caller told her that a PayPal representative would come to her home to collect it.

Later that evening, Mr. Lin and another individual, Didi Huang of Brooklyn, New York, traveled to the victim’s home. Before they arrived, one of the victim’s family members recognized the scam and alerted the Seabrook Police Department. Mr. Lin and Mr. Huang, neither of whom worked for PayPal, were arrested upon arrival and each charged with one class A felony count of attempted theft by deception.

On December 11, 2025, Mr. Lin pleaded guilty to one class A felony count of attempted theft by deception. On Friday, the court sentenced him to serve 2 to 5 years in the New Hampshire State Prison, stand committed. The court suspended six months of the minimum term for a period of four years following his release from incarceration. As a condition of the suspended sentence, Mr. Lin is prohibited from, among other things, working in any capacity with elderly, disabled, or impaired adults.

Mr. Huang’s case remains pending, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Seabrook Police Department investigated the case with assistance from Investigators Calice Couchman-Ducey and Robert Sullivan of the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Bryan J. Townsend, II, and Assistant Attorney General Nancy DeAngelis, of the Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit, prosecuted the case. Sunny Mulligan Shea and Ashley Taylor assisted as victim/witness advocates.

This scam was stopped because a family member of the victim recognized the signs of the scam and acted quickly. If you or someone you know may be a victim of elder abuse or financial exploitation, contact your local police department or the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Adult and Aging Services, at 1-800-949-0470.

Source:
New York Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in PayPal Scam Targeting Elderly Seabrook Resident 

Florida CEO says fraudsters stole her logo, along with customers and their cash in a case of 'elder abuse'. Protect yourself from real-estate scams

The owner of a Florida mobile home brokerage is warning the public of a fraud in which impersonators are using her brand to steal customers and their deposits.

Michelle Vanderbilt runs American Mobile Home Sales, a Tampa-area brokerage that helps people buy and sell manufactured homes on leased land in Florida (1).

Many of her clients are older adults seeking affordable housing, which is why she calls this scam “elder abuse.”

“It makes me sick,” Vanderbilt told Tampa’s 8 On Your Side (2). “I just feel so bad for these individuals because they’ve been fooled.”

She first learned about the scam when angry customers showed up at her company’s headquarters demanding answers after being swindled out of their deposits — by imposters.

There was no record of sales with her company. But when she probed, she learned con artists had appropriated her brand and address, even using a similar logo in their social media posts.

The fraudsters pressured innocent victims — who thought they were buying tiny homes — into sending deposits via the e-transfer system Zelle. The would-be buyers agreed to send money before seeing the property or meeting a sales rep.

Sadly, they’re unlikely to get their money back because they authorized those transactions.

Targeting older adults in mobile-home fraud

As housing costs rise and supply falls across the U.S., mobile homes (also known as manufactured homes) are being marketed as an affordable retirement housing option — making the industry a prime target for fraudsters keen to prey on older Americans.

Scams could involve listings with stolen photos (or even AI-generated photos). They entice buyers with great ‘deals,’ so long as they act quickly — which means not seeing the home in person.

In this case, fraudsters advertised the sale of tiny homes (which typically range from 400 to 600 sq. ft.) on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, offering too-good-to-be-true ‘deals’ like $1,000 down. Turns out, the deals really were too good to be true.

But even people who thought they did their homework could have fallen for the scheme.

“They Google the address and yes, it’s here," Vanderbilt told 8 On Your Side. "They can go to the Florida State website and verify that we are a manufactured home dealer,”

The scammers even created a fake social media presence, ripping off Vanderbilt’s New Year’s post complete with her company’s logo and posting it on their fake account.

Thanks to AI, it’s getting easier for fraudsters to impersonate legitimate businesses, banks or government agencies using spoofed IDs (false digital identities). 

For example, caller ID spoofing makes it look like a call is coming from a trusted source; the same technique can be used for emails and websites.

The FBI reports that con artists target older adults because they tend to have good credit, own homes and have decent savings. They’re also trusting. (3)

In 2024, FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) recorded 147,000 complaints from victims 60 and older, representing $4.9 billion in losses — a 43% year-over-year spike in losses from 2023. (4)

 

How to protect yourself from real-estate scams

When it comes to real-estate scams, there are tip-offs you can watch for before handing over your cash — starting with offers that seem too good to be true.

Beware if the company demands:

• an urgent upfront payment
• a wire transfer or other unusual payment method (for example, Zelle)
• that you to move funds into a ‘secure’ account.

If the company has a physical presence (as with American Mobile Home Sales), verify the details of the purchase in person at the stated address before putting any money down as a deposit.

Make sure you get everything in writing and have a lawyer look over the purchase agreement.

Once you do make a deposit, consider sending it to an escrow account (in which a third party holds funds during a transaction, released once all conditions are met) rather than sending it directly to the seller.

Businesses who’ve been targeted by impersonators should follow Vanderbilt’s lead and take proactive steps to warn potential victims — and protect their reputation.

Not only has Vanderbilt gone public in the media, she’s also used social media platform reporting tools to flag the fake accounts and posts.

In addition, she contacted the Clearwater Police Department, which has launched an investigation, the Better Business Bureau, the state licensing board, the U.S. Department of State and the Federal Trade Commission.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is another option, along with your state’s Secretary of State or business filing agency.

Full Article & Source:
Florida CEO says fraudsters stole her logo, along with customers and their cash in a case of 'elder abuse'. Protect yourself from real-estate scams 

Two arrested on elder abuse, domestic assault charges in Lebanon

The investigation led to officers obtaining warrants for Jessica West, 31, and Michael McConnell, 37, for domestic assault and elder abuse.

By Kassidy Brown

LEBANON, Tenn. (WSMV) - Two people are facing charges for elder abuse and domestic assault, according to the Lebanon Police Department.

LPD said officers responded to a home Wednesday afternoon for a welfare check on a woman after police received reports of possible elder abuse.

When officers found the woman, they saw abrasions and swelling on her head LPD said is consistent with abuse. LPD said the woman was immediately taken to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.

The investigation led to officers obtaining warrants for Jessica West, 31, and Michael McConnell, 37, for domestic assault and elder abuse.

The investigation led to officers obtaining warrants for Jessica West, 31, and Michael McConnell, 37, for domestic assault and elder abuse.

The City Codes Department opened an investigation into the home Thursday morning for concerns about poor living conditions, and in that investigation, officials found that West and McConnell had returned to the home.

LPD officers responded to the home and arrested West and McConnell.

LPD said West was on probation for a previous elder abuse case and McConnell was on parole at the time of their arrest. Due to this, both will face additional charges.

The investigation remains ongoing. 

Full Article & Source:
Two arrested on elder abuse, domestic assault charges in Lebanon 

Norfolk woman sues guardian and service provider for allowing man with disabilities to remain soiled

By Paul Hammel

LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska Examiner) - A Norfolk woman is suing a provider of services for the disabled, claiming that an elderly client she cared for was allowed “numerous times” to come home from the provider’s day program covered in feces and smelling of urine.

The woman, Rosanne Ramirez Eagle Feather, who had been paid to house the elderly client in her home, also seeks to remove a rural Wayne man as legal guardian, claiming that he didn’t demonstrate sufficient attention to the problems of “DK” — the initials used in a court filing — and didn’t visit her home once over two years to check up on him.

Eagle Feather is seeking monetary damages for loss of income, attorney fees and losing “her close and loving relationship with DK” from Mosaic, the service provider, as well as from Steve Heller, the guardian, for alleged neglect and abuse.

A state operations director for Mosaic, Rochelle Cross, said she could not comment on the lawsuit, but maintained that the “first concern” of the company, which operated the day program that served DK, “is the safety and health of the people we support.”

Heller, meanwhile, described the legal battle as retaliation for the decision to remove DK from the Eagle Feather home and place him in a group home in Beatrice, where his attorney wrote, “(DK) is thriving” and is “very happy.”

Heller, in a telephone interview, said DK had suffered from incontinence for several years, and that the problem likely grew worse due to a change in his medication. He said he had entrusted Mosaic — where his late wife had served as an administrator — to keep tabs on DK’s care and report any problems.

In court filings, Heller’s attorney compared it to deferring to school officials to do what’s right for DK.

Eagle Feather, in court documents, objected to that characterization, and maintained that Heller didn’t sufficiently care for DK and had only become guardian to “honor [his wife’s] wishes.”

Heller, meanwhile, said Eagle Feather became upset, because he refused to switch DK to another day program provider. He added that she also was upset because she had lost about $6,000 a month to care for and house DK, according to court documents.

Eagle Feather, in court files, maintained that she was only concerned about DK’s well being, not money and that it was Mosaic that had a monetary interest in where DK got services.

Court files also indicated that complaints to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Adult Protective Services against Heller and Mosaic were found to be unfounded. However, Eagle Feather’s attorney, Kathleen Neary, said “only a fool” would not clean up its act in response to an APS complaint.

Eagle Feather’s request to have Heller removed as DK’s guardian has been taken under advisement by Madison County Court Judge Ross Stoffer.

The civil lawsuit, seeking damages from Mosaic and Heller, was filed recently in Madison County District Court and has not yet been set for trial.

Full Article & Source:
Norfolk woman sues guardian and service provider for allowing man with disabilities to remain soiled 

Woman arrested for exploitation of disabled person

According to the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, on Jan. 21, officers arrested Tracy Peckham, age 62, on a charge of Exploitation of a Disabled Adult.

In late 2024, the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office had received information regarding potential mismanagement of funds by a co-plenary guardian of the victim. The case was assigned to detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division (CID).

Following a lengthy and detailed investigation, detectives determined Peckham had defrauded the victim of approximately $17,000 between November 2023 and June 2024.

The investigation revealed the victim’s personal financial accounts were used by Peckham for personal gain and not in the victim’s best interest, as required under the guardianship. Funds were used for services and accounts solely associated with Peckham.

On Jan. 15, 2026, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Peckham for Exploitation of a Disabled Adult (F.S. 825.103(3)(b)). On Jan. 21, a deputy with the Patrol Division arrested Peckham pursuant to the warrant and she was booked into the Wakulla County Jail.

Full Article & Source:
Woman arrested for exploitation of disabled person

Detroit judge, 3 others charged in alleged scheme to steal thousands from vulnerable and incapacitated people

Andrea Bradley-Baskin is a district judge on Michigan’s 36th District Court

By Greg Norman-Diamond 

A Detroit judge and three other residents were charged by federal prosecutors for their alleged roles in a "years-long scheme" to embezzle money from incapacitated and vulnerable individuals. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan said Andrea Bradley-Baskin, 46, who is a district judge on Michigan’s 36th District Court, is alleged "to have used $70,000 in a ward’s funds to purchase an ownership stake in a local bar" and "money embezzled from the estate of a ward to pay a two-year lease on a new Ford Expedition for herself." 

"We respect the authority that covers a black robe. This state judge and her cronies allegedly abused that high honor for personal gain by preying on the needy protected by the court," U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon said in a statement. "This would be a grievous abuse of our public trust." 

"Regardless of a person’s position in society, no one is above the law. These four defendants allegedly conspired to steal from some of our most vulnerable citizens — looting bank accounts, exploiting legal authority, and profiting off those who relied on them for care and protection," added Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office.

The Attorney’s Office said Nancy Williams, 59, Avery Bradley, 72, Dwight Rashad, 69, and Bradley-Baskin, all Detroit residents, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.   

"The indictment also charges Bradley with one count of wire fraud, Bradley, Bradley-Baskin, and Rashad with several counts of money laundering, and Bradley-Baskin with a single count of making a false statement to federal law enforcement agent," it added. 

Lawyers representing Bradley-Baskin did not immediately respond Saturday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

The Attorney’s Office, citing the indictment, said "probate courts regularly appoint guardians and conservators to manage the personal and financial affairs of adults, known as wards, who have been found by the court to lack the capacity to do so themselves."

U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon said Judge Andrea Bradley-Baskin "and her cronies allegedly abused" her "high honor for personal gain by preying on the needy protected by the court." (Brian A. Jackson/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

"The indictment alleges that Nancy Williams owned Guardian and Associates, an agency that was appointed as a fiduciary by the Wayne County Probate Court for incapacitated wards in over 1,000 cases. Avery Bradley is an attorney, who, along with his daughter (and fellow attorney) Andrea Bradley-Baskin, operated a law firm that often represented Guardian and Associates in Wayne County Probate Court and otherwise practiced regularly in that court," it continued. "Dwight Rashad operated a series of group homes and residential facilities for elderly individuals, including wards, who needed support and care." 

"The indictment alleges that the four defendants conspired to systematically embezzle funds from wards, and to obtain and retain money for themselves that rightly belonged to the wards and the wards’ estates," it also said.  

Prosecutors described how in one case, Bradley, Williams, and Rashad allegedly took around $203,000 in funds from a ward’s legal settlement, with "none of the money being used to benefit the ward."

"Williams is alleged to have paid Rashad rent for wards who did not live in one of Rashad’s homes," they said.  

The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations.  

Full Article & Source:
Detroit judge, 3 others charged in alleged scheme to steal thousands from vulnerable and incapacitated people 

Press Release: Sitting Judge and Three Others Charged with Scheme to Steal Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars from Vulnerable and Incapacitated Wards

Friday, January 30, 2026 

For Immediate Release

U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Michigan

DETROIT - Four Detroit-area residents, including a sitting judge and a local attorney, were charged for their roles in a years-long scheme to embezzle money from incapacitated individuals, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced today.

Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Detroit Field Office, and Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations Detroit Field Office.

Nancy Williams, 59, Avery Bradley, 72, Andrea Bradley-Baskin, 46, and Dwight Rashad, 69, all Detroit residents, were charged via indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The indictment also charges Bradley with one count of wire fraud, Bradley, Bradley-Baskin, and Rashad with several counts of money laundering, and Bradley-Baskin with a single count of making a false statement to federal law enforcement agent.

According to the indictment, probate courts regularly appoint guardians and conservators to manage the personal and financial affairs of adults, known as wards, who have been found by the court to lack the capacity to do so themselves. Guardians and conservators are fiduciaries who are obligated to act in the best interests of their wards. The indictment alleges that Nancy Williams owned Guardian and Associates, an agency that was appointed as a fiduciary by the Wayne County Probate Court for incapacitated wards in over 1,000 cases. Avery Bradley is an attorney, who, along with his daughter (and fellow attorney) Andrea Bradley-Baskin, operated a law firm that often represented Guardian and Associates in Wayne County Probate Court and otherwise practiced regularly in that court. Bradley-Baskin is currently a district judge on Michigan’s 36^th District Court. Dwight Rashad operated a series of group homes and residential facilities for elderly individuals, including wards, who needed support and care.

The indictment alleges that the four defendants conspired to systematically embezzle funds from wards, and to obtain and retain money for themselves that rightly belonged to the wards and the wards’estates. The indictment sets forth numerous examples of the co-conspirators working together to misappropriate money belonging to wards. In one instance, Bradley-Baskin is alleged to have used $70,000 in a ward’s funds to purchase an ownership stake in a local bar.  In another, Bradley, Williams, and Rashad are alleged to have taken for themselves some $203,000 in funds from a ward’s legal settlement, with none of the money being used to benefit the ward. Williams is alleged to have paid Rashad rent for wards who did not live in one of Rashad’s homes.  Bradley-Baskin, in yet another case, is alleged to have used money embezzled from the estate of a ward to pay a two-year lease on a new Ford Expedition for herself.

“We respect the authority that covers a black robe. This state judge and her cronies allegedly abused that high honor for personal gain by preying on the needy protected by the court. This would be a grievous abuse of our public trust,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon.

“Regardless of a person’s position in society, no one is above the law. These four defendants allegedly conspired to steal from some of our most vulnerable citizens — looting bank accounts, exploiting legal authority, and profiting off those who relied on them for care and protection," said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. "Let me be clear: if you prey on the vulnerable, we will find you and bring you to justice. Finally, I want to recognize our FBI Detroit Area Corruption Task Force, alongside our partners at the IRS Criminal Investigations Detroit Field Office, for their dedicated work on behalf of these victims, as well as the Wayne County Probate Court for bringing this matter to our attention and assisting the investigation."

“No matter who you are, or what your position is, it is entirely unacceptable to help yourself to money that is not yours. What makes these allegations so disturbing is that the victims are part of very vulnerable population and trusted the accused to act in their best interest,” said Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. “IRS-CI is proud to work alongside our law enforcement partners to protect the financial well-being of the vulnerable and root out those who threaten their security.”

If you have information concerning a ward of Guardian & Associates or Tri-State Guardian Services, please visit the FBI website at

— Seeking Information Concerning Wards of Guardian & Associates and Tri-State Guardian Services

 An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert A. Moran and John Neal.

Updated January 30, 2026

Source:

Press Release:  Sitting Judge and Three Others Charged with Scheme to Steal Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars from Vulnerable and Incapacitated Wards

 

Detroit judge, 3 others charged in federal guardianship case

A 36th District Court judge is among four people facing federal charges in connection with what officials call "a years-long scheme to embezzle money from incapacitated individuals." 

Source:
Detroit judge, 3 others charged in federal guardianship case