San Francisco Landlords Targeted for Elder Abuse

Lisa Gray-Garcia, aka “Tiny,” led a press conference outside the San Francisco Hall of Justice Feb. 5 to announce that she and fellow activists were filing elder abuse charges against San Francisco landlords.

Clad in a gray pantsuit and flanked by activists and senior citizens who were facing eviction or had lost housing in San Francisco, the Poor News Network founder condemned landlords who’ve invoked the Ellis Act as “dangerous criminals.”

Gray-Garcia said criminal charges were being filed against the landlords in accordance with California Penal Code 368, which creates a special category for crimes – such as infliction of pain, injury or endangerment – committed against elders and dependent adults.

The theory is that carrying out an Ellis Act eviction against a senior citizen qualifies as a criminal act under that law, since an elder can suffer physical harm as a result of being turned out of his or her home.

The targeted landlords were taken from a list compiled by the San Francisco Anti Eviction Mapping Project, a volunteer-led group that published names, property ownership, and identifying information of 12 landlords who had repeatedly invoked the Ellis Act in San Francisco. Garcia read out their names as part of the press event.

Full Article and Source:
San Francisco Landlords Targeted for Elder Abuse

See Also:
Confronting the Speculators

David L. Moss and Associates Extends No-Cost Case Valuation to Article 81 Guardianship Proceedings

David L. Moss and Associates has now extended free case valuation to Article 81 Guardianship Proceedings for landlords. Drawing on their vast experience, they can work to safeguard their interests.

David L. Moss and Associates will now provide no-charge case evaluation to landlords in NYC for Article 81 Guardianship Proceedings. Landlords require strong representation in Article 81 proceedings to safeguard their interests and this law firm, leveraging its extensive experience in housing court matters.

“Article 81 of Mental Hygiene Law allows the New York City Department of Social Services or the tenant’s representative to commence proceedings in the Supreme Court requesting appointment of a guardian of the tenant and their property. The proceedings can be filed when the tenant is said to be incapable of representing their own interests,” said a senior lawyer with the firm.

The court order appointing a guardian for the tenant will stay any pending litigation the landlord is fighting with the tenant. Moreover, the landlord would require the court approval for any further actions. A seasoned attorney would represent the landlord to get for them the benefits they are entitled to as result of the landlord-tenant relationship including the payment of rent and ultimately repossession of the property if the tenant lacks the ability to continue to reside there.

Article 81 Guardianship Proceedings are complex civil litigation requiring clinical efficiency on the part of the law firm. As the senior lawyer commented, “Guardianship matters can be highly litigious. When the court is likely to grant the guardian to the tenant, the issue can be powers granted by the court to the guardian. Our lawyers work to bring the other perspective on the matter to the court.”

David L. Moss and Associates has years of experience representing all parties in guardianship proceedings, that enables them to handle the knotty situation. Whether the alleged incapacitated person is facing genuine psychiatric issues or they have fraudulently claimed to be on to keep the property under their possession, the law firm can assist them.

Full Article and Source:
David L. Moss and Associates Extends No-Cost Case Valuation to Article 81 Guardianship Proceedings

Man Arrested for Allegedly Exploiting Elderly Landlord

Authorities said a Raleigh County man swindled thousands from an elderly woman in Fayette County.

Joey Scott Voiers, 44, of Beckley, was arrested Wednesday and charged with obtaining money under false pretenses and financial exploitation of the elderly after a lengthy investigation led by the Fayette Sheriff's Department. Both charges are felonies.

Detectives investigated Voiers for months, and the charges against him allege he exploited the victim from 2008 to early 2013, when the matter was reported to deputies, according to a sheriff's department statement.

"The information gathered during this investigation indicates that Joey Voiers began renting an apartment from this elderly female around 2008 and agreed to perform repairs and renovations to her residence in exchange for a reduced rate of rent," Sheriff Steve Kessler said in the release.

"He apparently gradually won the trust of this elderly female and then began taking financial advantage of her."

Full Article and Source:
Police Allege Man Financially Exploited Elderly Landlord