Disbarred Veterans Lawyer Now Facing 67-Count Federal Indictment, Including Social Security Fraud

A former Memphis lawyer first exposed by The Daily Caller in 2014 is now facing sixty-seven federal criminal counts.

Keith L. Dobbs, 39, is a disbarred Memphis, Tennessee attorney and last week the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee announced the indictment.

Dobbs was charged, “with a total of sixty-seven federal felony violations. In addition, one indictment seeks the forfeiture of at least $406,533.00 in criminal proceeds,” according to a statement from the Social Security Office of the Inspector General.

“According to the two indictments, Dobbs misappropriated funds from 26 victims who received veteran’s benefits and nine Social Security recipients. Dobbs acted as a fiduciary for these victims because they were unable to manage their benefits due to physical or mental disabilities. The indictments were the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Office of Inspector General for the Social Security Administration.”

Dobbs was first featured in an August 2014 article in the Caller, in which he was accused of overcharging and misappropriating from, Norman Hughes, a Korean and Vietnam War veteran under his care in the VA Fiduciary program. (RELATED: Korean, Vietnam War Vet Inside VA System Held Against His Will)

The VA Fiduciary program “was established to protect veterans and other beneficiaries who, due to injury, disease or age, are unable to manage their financial affairs. VA will only determine an individual to be unable to manage his or her financial affairs after receipt of medical documentation or if a court of competent jurisdiction has already made the determination,” according to Military.com.

In Hughes’ case, the evidence of his incapacitation was dubious, and Hughes was also forced to stay at assisted living facility where he felt like a prisoner and the monthly fee, $7,200 was nearly three times the rent, $2,700, he was paying before being forced into guardianship.

“I need somebody to help me get out of here,” Hughes said to the Caller in 2014.

Norman Hughes

Hughes has since died, but Debbie McCoy was Hughes’ caretaker and he stayed with her prior to being forced by Hughes to an assisted living facility.

McCoy said Hughes believed Dobbs was stealing from him, including his social security funds.

The press release explained more about Dobbs’ social security fraud: “Dobbs applied to the Social Security Administration to be the representative payee for nine beneficiaries, and was appointed representative payee for each of the nine victims. According to the indictment, Dobbs converted the nine victims’ Social Security benefits to his own use by drawing checks on their accounts made payable to him; transferring funds from their accounts into an account that he controlled; and by using the funds in the victims’ accounts to make purchases and pay bills.”

When Dobbs entered Hughes’ life in late 2012, Hughes had approximately $150,000 saved up, it was down to an estimated $80,000 at the time of the 2014 story.

While the indictment doesn’t list the names of the victims, it does list the initials, including N.H.

McCoy said Dobbs called soon after himself being reached by the Caller for comment in 2014; Dobbs threatened her, suggesting he would cut the minimal time she could spend with Hughes if the media got involved.

Crime appeared to pay off for some time for Dobbs. Part of the press release reads, “according to the mail fraud indictment, Dobbs used funds embezzled from the veterans’ accounts to pay his personal obligations, such as credit card bills and rent, and to purchase items, such as a BMW automobile.”

Dobbs’ life has spiraled downhill since that 2014 article in the Caller.

Matt Hall’s sister, Blae Bryce, is another victim of Dobbs. (RELATED: Memphis VA Hospital Remains Troubled, Despite Secretary’s Assurance It Has ‘Turned A Corner’)

“Bless his heart,” Hall said when informed of the indictment against Dobbs.

Hall’s sister had approximately $35,000 saved up when Dobbs became her VA Fiduciary; it was done to approximately $3,000 when he was removed in 2016. Hall said his sister should have had more than enough income to cover her monthly expenses. He said his sister’s mental health has continued to deteriorate and though he was able to have her moved to Texas, near where he lives, she is now in an assisted living facility.

Hall said he doesn’t blame Dobbs for his sister’s mental health deteriorating, but he said despite her issues, she was always certain Dobbs was stealing from her.

“She told everyone [that Dobbs was stealing],” Hall said; he thinks despite her mental health state he believes his sister helped to awake those in power to Dobbs’ crimes.

Dobbs was supposed to be supervised by the VA Fiduciary Hub based in Louisville, Kentucky.

“Immediately after receiving allegations of improper behavior, VA took action to investigate and remove Dobbs and make all affected Veterans whole,” a spokesperson for the VA told The Daily Caller in a statement. “Because Dobbs’ crimes centered on the creation and submission of fake documents, VA has enhanced its document review policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.”

Full Article & Source:
Disbarred Veterans Lawyer Now Facing 67-Count Federal Indictment, Including Social Security Fraud

See Also:
NASGA : Norman Hughes, Tennessee

Leave No Vet with a Pet Behind

In the United States, more than half a million people are homeless - and nearly fifteen percent are veterans.

Many of these veterans rely on pets as companions to make it on the streets. Homeless shelters in many communities are a resource for vets who need food and shelter while they work to find employment and get off the street. 

Unfortunately, a large majority of veteran-assisted homeless shelters do not allow pets on their property. 

So homeless vets with pets are faced with an unimaginable decision each night - either stay with their pet outside and brave the cold for the night, or check into the shelter and leave their pet to die.

Donate to Safe Haven, a Jackson Galaxy Project initiative and GreaterGood.org's newest signature program to leave no Vet and Pet behind!

Heroes Never Die.

Veterans Boogie Down at the Airport

The Ladies of Liberty sang The Andrews Sisters greatest hit "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" for our Veterans. Marin Perryman and Paul Kopey are both World War II veteran and they are having great time dancing at the airport waiting for the plane to arrive.

Source:
YouTube: Veterans Boogie Down at the Airport

Tonight on Marti Oakley's T. S. Radio: Abolish Probate Tribunals

5:00pm PST…  6:00pm MST...  7:00pm CST…  8:00pm EST

Helen Taylor joins us this evening to update us on all the activities happening in Missouri including the upcoming rally there.

She also is fighting Morgan county Missouri which won’t let her have Charley’s retirement to live on. They apparently need his retirement finances more than she does. Also, Helen discovered late one evening, one aid, Ron, taking care of 61 inmates and the LPN was asleep on the couch in the dining room.

Helen will also be speaking about the veterans who have asked for help in getting free from forced isolation in this nursing home. While the VA has claimed that it has no guardianship program, the fact is that it does. And the VA has the lawful authority to step in and retrieve these veterans from these homes. The question is: Why don’t they act to protect them from these predators?

LISTEN to the show live or listen to the archive later

The Unforgivable Truth

Today we pause to give tribute and deep thanks to our Veterans who have answered our country’s call. Many gave their lives or limbs in doing so. We honor them and their spouses and families who also gave the ultimate sacrifice. We call the Veterans and families of WWII “the greatest generation” and they certainly were for their time. While our Veterans bravely faced the enemy and the horrors of war, their spouses kept our country and their families going despite constant hardship and worry.

Today, the greatest generation is under fire again and this time the enemy is elder abuse and guardianship abuse.

Veterans are given constant tribute and honor in this documentary, “The Unforgivable Truth – How We Have Turned America’s Greatest Generation into America’s Abused Generation.” Please watch and share this video.

JOIN The Elder Abuse Reform Now Project

JOIN NASGA

Congress passes legislation to protect veterans from financial scams

Rep. Matt Cartwright

WILKES-BARRE — The U.S. Senate last week passed by unanimous consent the Veterans Care Financial Protection Act — a bipartisan bill introduced by several legislators, including U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright.

The legislation seeks to crack down on scam artists who are diverting federal funds from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Aid and Attendance program intended to support low-income and older veterans who require assisted care. The Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit helps pay for assisted living or in-home personal care for veterans who qualify for a VA pension, and are housebound or require the aid and attendance of another person.

Cartwright, D-Moosic, said scam artists have targeted veterans, charging them fees for obtaining the benefit even though the application process is free. He said some scammers even take control of the veteran’s assets and move them into an irrevocable trust or an annuity, which the veteran often cannot access again for many years, and may disqualify the veteran from other assistance, like Medicaid.

“It’s our responsibility to protect our nation’s heroes and ensure they receive their earned benefits,” Cartwright said in a news release. “The A&A benefit is crucial for veterans who need help with in-home care or assisted living. Unfortunately, predatory scam artists exploit veterans by turning the well-deserved A&A benefit into a financial nightmare.”

Cartwright said he was “thrilled” the Senate passed the bipartisan, commonsense proposal to safeguard veterans from the scams.

The act would:

• Direct the VA Secretary to post an online warning to veterans on the VA’s website related to dishonest, predatory, or otherwise unlawful practices in the Aid and Attendance program.

• Direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to complete a study on the financial exploitation of veterans eligible for the Aid and Attendance program, including an analysis of the standards used by federal and state agencies to protect these and other vulnerable populations from financial exploitation, and any gaps in efforts to address these exploitation issues.

• Require the GAO to submit a preliminary report to Congress on the study of financial exploitation of veterans within 12 months, and submit the final report within 18 months.

The bill now heads to the president for his signature.

Full Article & Source:
Congress passes legislation to protect veterans from financial scams

98-Year-Old Aleen Cooper Has Written Almost 7,000 Letters to Soldiers in Six Years

This 98-year-old grandmother doesn’t just write birthday cards to family members – she also writes thousands of letters to military members who are deployed overseas.

Aileen Cooper started writing to service members sometime after WWII. In the past six years alone, the senior has written almost 7,000 letters.

All of her notes are four pages long, and all of them are different from one other. For those of you who aren’t math buffs, that’s about 28,000 pages of thoughtful, individualized writing.

Though her hand must cramp up from time to time, Aileen has made it abundantly clear that she is going to keep writing for as long as she possibly can.

Full Article and Source:
98-Year-Old Has Written Almost 7,000 Letters to Soldiers in Six Years

Memorial Day Misery: Disabled Veteran Seeks Missing Funds, Sues VA Appointed Fiduciary

As he faces another Memorial Day, Ronald White's life remains a “blessed’’ struggle. The 69-year-old disabled Vietnam veteran walks with a cane these days. He’s had to move from his house into a group home.

But his biggest worries remain the financial stress caused when a fiduciary assigned by the Department of Veterans Affairs — a stranger he’s met only a handful of times — allegedly misappropriated a chunk of his savings.

“I’m blessed. I’m blessed,’’ White assures a visitor when asked how he’s holding up.

Keith Dobbs

But when the subject turns to Keith L. Dobbs, a now-disbarred Memphis attorney accused in court papers of mishandling White’s money, the former Army combat soldier’s tone changes.

“He stole my money,’’ says White. “He needs to be prosecuted.’’

More than a year after the VA first detected irregularities in Dobbs’ oversight of veterans' funds, authorities still are trying to sort it out. As a VA-appointed fiduciary, Dobbs managed the financial affairs of as many as 19 Memphis-area veterans — cases he eventually was removed from.

At least two lawsuits have been filed, including one on behalf of White, trying to collect an undetermined amount funds.

An independent investigation by The Commercial Appeal last year told the stories of veterans who suffered under Dobbs' watch, men like David Meadows, a brain-damaged Army veteran whose bank accounts were frozen and who feared being kicked out on the street; Bobbie Bouie, a 54-year-old PTSD victim who showed up sobbing at Shelby County Probate Court saying he had no money; and Henry Ashurst, 87, the victim of an earlier dishonest fiduciary who used $120,000 of the elderly vet’s funds to finance gambling junkets and personal bills before the VA assigned Dobbs to manage his affairs.

Evidence in Ashurst’s case suggest he might be the victim of another elaborate scam.

In an affidavit that led to the suspension of Dobbs' law license in February 2016, BankTennessee Chief Financial Officer Andrew John LoCascio questioned two certificates of deposit totaling $40,000 that Dobbs held for Ashurst. The bank officer said the CDs, listed by Dobbs in an accounting, are not BankTennessee instruments, saying the listings "falsely represent certificates of deposit balances.''

In all, LoCascio's affidavit questions 12 CDs totaling $178,000 that Dobbs contended were held in the name of Ashurst and three other veterans.

"Based on my investigation, the Account Certificates filed with the Probate Court Annual Accountings reflecting the certificates of deposit referred to above are not authentic documents certified by BankTennessee,'' the affidavit said. CD numbers listed by Dobbs either didn't exist at BankTennessee or were numbers associated with other customers, the affidavit said.

Marion Brooks, Ashurst’s sister and caregiver, said this week she’s been told by her brother’s new fiduciary that the VA has agreed to restore money that went missing on Dobbs’ watch.

“He said they put back a hundred thousand dollars. That’s what he stole from my brother,’’ Brooks said.

Scott Rose, the Memphis attorney the VA has appointed to replace Dobbs as Ashurst’s fiduciary, confirmed the VA has replaced missing funds from the veteran’s account but said ethically he can’t comment on the amount until records are filed in Shelby County Probate Court.

Efforts to interview Dobbs, 37, were unsuccessful.

Full Article and Source:
Memorial Day Misery:  Disabled Veteran Seeks Missing Funds, Sues VA Appointed Fiduciary

See Also:
Norman Hughes, Tennessee Victim

Army Ranger vet Martin Patterson’s guadianship nightmare ends

ERIE, Pennsylvania, May 10, 2017 – A former Army Ranger, subjected in his thirties to a guardianship procedure that effectively rendered him a slave to his parents, is now free. Martin Patterson, 37, was officially released from his guardianship after a forensic examination conducted by Dr. Joseph A. Buzogany found he was not incapacitated. Dr. Buzogany bluntly concluded:

“It is the opinion of this examiner to reasonable degree of medical certainty that Mr. Patterson no longer meets requisite criteria for incapacitated persons.”

Patterson was placed into guardianship at the behest of his parents, aided by the Veterans Administration (VA) Fiduciary Hub in Indianapolis, Indiana; and by Laura Eaton, who was made his guardian, along with MECA, the non-profit she also ran.

CDN has tracked Patterson’s story since the summer of 2016, and has found a series of problems with his guardianship. Patterson was initially placed into temporary guardianship after a hearing in which he wasn’t allowed to speak; approximately $75,000 of his money has since been misspent; and Eaton, his parents and the court all subsequently ignored a VA examination which found Patterson to be of sound mind.

While in guardianship, Martin Patterson was also ordered to work regularly, without pay, on his parents’ farm.

Although it was the VA Fiduciary Hub in Indianapolis that handled Patterson’s case because Patterson is a veteran (serving an Army Ranger from 1998-2006); and although their own examination of Patterson found him of sound mine, the VA Fiduciary Hub the office ultimately refused to step in when its findings were ignored.

Lisa Goebel, public affairs officer for the VA Fiduciary Hub in Indianapolis, declined to comment. But previously, she had told this CDN reporter:

“Mr. Patterson was rated competent to handle his VA finances in January 2014. The issue of competency for the VA fiduciary program and the issue of state court guardianship are separate and distinct. The Department of Veterans Affairs is not involved in, nor is a party to, the state guardianship issue you referenced.”

 Dr. Buzogany’s examination found there may have been even more problems with Patterson’s guardianship. According to that examination, the court determined Patterson was incapacitated before an initial examination was complete:

“An incapacity petition occurred in 2013. The hearing occurred December 19, 2013. This followed an independent evaluation by Ted Urban Ed.D who evaluated Mr. Patterson on November 20 and November 25, 2013. Of note, the copy of the actual report provided by Dr. Urban’s office is dated May 28, 2014 with an addendum July 15, 2014. This is an inconsistency that was not able to be resolved at that time of this report.”

The chambers of Judge Stephanie Domitrovich, who was the presiding judge during this period, declined to comment. Judge Domitrovich has since been removed from the case. She was replaced by Judge Elizabeth Kelly, who handled the latest hearing. Judge Domitrovich had already been disciplined for her behavior in another case.

Emails sent by this reporter to Patterson’s parents, Roger and Gail, were left unreturned. An email to Laura Eaton’s attorney, Mary Alfieri Richmond was also left unreturned.

Shortly after CDN’s investigation of this case commenced, Eaton asked to be removed from the case, citing an unnamed conflict of interest.

Kristen Patterson, Martin Patterson’s wife, told this CDN reporter she recently learned Eaton has been removed from MECA, the non-profit she ran. MECA, which specializes in handling guardianship cases for veterans, had been handling Patterson’s guardianship until her removal.

Martin Patterson issued the following statement:

“I am very pleased with the court’s decision today. This has been a long, hard fought battle to regain my freedom after years of oppression at the hands of my parents. My mother’s only concerns were the management of my finances and fear that the court’s decision would come back on them. Not to mention the desperate attempts to smear my reputation to sway the judge’s opinion. My brother even went as far as to question the authenticity of the battery of neuropsychological testing performed by a licensed Neuropsychologist and a licensed Forensic Psychiatrist.

“Testing that was quite in depth and included a full review of all medical records in my case to arrive at the decision in the seven page report. A decision that validates what I have been stating all along. There were no concerns voiced for my wellbeing or quality of life. No concerns or remorse for the damage they have done to me over the years. Judge Elizabeth Kelly had an opportunity to review the medical evidence in my case and her decision to release me from guardianship was consistent with the final report. There is a long road ahead to rebuild the life that was taken from me, but for the first time since my injury, I am free to walk the path I choose. Thank you to all who supported me in this fight.”

 Full Article & Source:
Stunning reversal in former Army Ranger’s guardianship case

Army Ranger vet Martin Patterson’s guadianship nightmare ends

Guardian in Controversial Case Tells Court She Has Conflict of Interest

Mysterious Signature Adds Confusion tin Patterson Guardianship Case

Former Army Ranger Claims Forced Guardianship

Tonight on T.S. Radio:  Martin Patterson - Military Veterans Are Caught in This Trap

NASGA:  Veterans in Peril

Stunning reversal in former Army Ranger’s guardianship case

by Michael Volpe

WASHINGTON, January 22, 2017 – In a stunning reversal, the former Army Ranger previously held in guardianship for more than five years is nearly free of the system.

Martin Patterson, 37, is a former Army Ranger living in Pennsylvania who was placed into guardianship at the behest of his parents who claimed that brain damage from a lightning strike caused him to be incompetent and unable to manage his finances.

On August 2016, CDN featured Patterson’s story with allegations of a corrupt process and that his money has been misspent while he’s been in guardianship. Patterson said he was initially placed in temporary guardianship during a status conference when his parents and guardian bad mouthed him, though they did not testify or were cross-examined; he also said about $75,000 of his funds has gone missing. In October 2016, CDN reported that the guardian, Laura Eaton, had hired an attorney, Mary Alfieri, who filed a motion asking that Eaton be removed from the case due to a “conflict of interest.”

Eaton was also initially appointed by the Veterans Administration to be Patterson’s conservator.

Alfieri did not respond to an email for comment.

That hearing was held on January 11, 2017, Judge Elizabeth Kelly issued an order removing Eaton from the case.

The hearing was initially held at the end of November 2016 but was continued until January.

Patterson’s new wife, Kristen Davis, has been named his temporary guardian and he’s scheduled for an examination which, if it confirms he’s competent, will lead to his removal from guardianship in April.

The VA Fiduciary Hub manages guardianship issues for veterans and the VA Fiduciary Hub in Indianapolis helped to manage Patterson’s- Patterson believes mismanaged.

Lisa Goebel, the press person for the VA Fiduciary Hub in Indianapolis issued this statement:

“Mr. Patterson was rated competent to handle his VA finances in January 2014.  The issue of competency for the VA fiduciary program and the issue of state court guardianship are separate and distinct.  The Department of Veterans Affairs is not involved in, nor is a party to, the state guardianship issue you referenced.”

In fact, part of Patterson’s frustration stemmed for the fact that the VA found him competent but that this competency finding was given no weight in determining whether or not he should remain in guardianship.

Full Article & Source:
Stunning reversal in former Army Ranger’s guardianship case

See Also:
Guardian in Controversial Case Tells Court She Has Conflict of Interest

Mysterious Signature Adds Confusion tin Patterson Guardianship Case

Former Army Ranger Claims Forced Guardianship

Tonight on T.S. Radio:  Martin Patterson - Military Veterans Are Caught in This Trap

NASGA:  Veterans in Peril

VA leaves Veteran's body in shower room; tries to cover it up

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. - Bay Pines VA hospital staff left the body of a Veteran in a shower room for over nine hours, then tried to cover it up.

U.S. Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) released a statement in response to the report:

“I am deeply disturbed by the incident that occurred at the Bay Pines VA hospital, and even more distressed to learn that staff attempted to cover it up. The report details a total failure on the part of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and an urgent need for greater accountability. Unsurprisingly, not a single VA employee has been fired following this incident, despite a clear lack of concern and respect for the Veteran. The men and women who sacrificed on behalf of our nation deserve better.” 

Bilirakis strongly supported House passage of the VA Accountability Act, legislation to make it easier for the VA Secretary to fire employees for misconduct or poor performance.

Bay Pines VA's Statement:
I can confirm the accuracy of most of what has been reported, but feel that the words “cover-up” or “hide” used by the Tampa Bay Times are highly inaccurate.  It is true that the general issue identified in the article did, in fact, take place (A deceased Veteran was prepared for transportation to the morgue; however, transport took more than nine hours to occur).  With that being said, our leadership team took swift and deliberate actions to investigate the incident and determine the cause as soon as the issue was reported.

As reflected in the outcomes of our thorough internal reviews, it was found that some staff did not follow post mortem care procedures.  We view this finding unacceptable, and have taken appropriate action to mitigate reoccurrence in the future. Some of these actions include recommitment by all hospice staff to VA’s core values, education and training, and review of policy and procedures. Furthermore, hospice nursing professionals were required to provide a signature commitment of understanding and adherence to policy and practice related to post mortem care.  Nursing safety rounds were also initiated as a way to ensure ongoing education and oversight within the unit.  Appropriate personnel action was also taken, however, I am not able to provide details as these actions are considered confidential between the agency and employees involved. We feel that we have taken strong, appropriate and expeditious steps to strengthen and improve our existing systems and processes within the unit.

Again, this event was undesirable and unacceptable. While there is no specific VA policy or directive that provides guidance on the specific timeframe in which a decedent should be transported, it is our expectation that each Veteran is transported to their final resting place in the timely, respectful and honorable manner.  America’s heroes deserve nothing less.

Thank you,

Jason W. Dangel
Public Affairs Officer
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

Full Article & Source:
VA leaves Veteran's body in shower room; tries to cover it up

Tonight on T.S. Radio: Martin Patterson ~ Military Veterans are Caught in This Trap

Join us this evening as Martin Patterson tells how he was trapped in a guardianship nightmare after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and after being struck by lightening.

Martin has now been deprived of an estimated $100,000.00 in benefits which have been diverted to those supposedly managing his affairs.

 A former army Ranger, Mr. Patterson was forced into an unnecessary guardianship by his mother who also just happened to be an employee the Erie VA Medical Center.

Initially, the VA found Patterson to be competent. It was only after the interference and insistence of his mother Gail Patterson, that this diagnosis changed. “Martin Patterson was deemed incompetent by VA Field Examiner Carla Amendola in March 2011 at the request of Gail Patterson. They are coworkers and have a personal history. The VA Fiduciary Hub was aware Gail Patterson is an Erie VAMC employee, as evidenced by her own email communication about the investigation into Martin’s VA funds being misused by Laura Eaton. Laura Eaton was recommended by Carla Amendola as a VA Fiduciary.”

5:00 pm PST … 6:00 pm MST … 7:00 pm CST … 8:00 pm EST

LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE or listen to the archive later

See Also:
Former Army Ranger Claims Forced Guardianship
Mysterious Signature Adds to Confusion in Patterson Guardianship Case
Guardian in Controversial Case Tells Court She Has Conflict of Interest

For the First Time Ever, Guardianship Abuse is the Subject of a Political Ad, Featuring Veteran Guadelupe Olvera

Freedom Partners Action Fund today announced a new TV and digital ad campaign backed by $1.2 million in Nevada illustrating how Catherine Cortez Masto let down Nevada seniors by failing to hold a state government program accountable.



Guadalupe Olvera was a veteran of World War II. Olvera was also thrust into Nevada’s guardianship program, which the Las Vegas Review-Journal later described as “ripe for abuse.”

When his wife passed away in 2009, Olvera wanted to move to California. His daughter, who lived in California, wanted him to move there, too. So Olvera was assigned a temporary guardian until conservatorship could be transferred to California. However, his guardian soon after petitioned the court to make it permanent, and, just three months after his temporary Nevada guardian was assigned to him, Olvera’s trust was charged tens of thousands of dollars.

Growing worried, Olvera’s daughter filed a lawsuit to remove her father’s guardian—but the guardianship commissioner said no. Olvera finally escaped to California, but his guardian led an expensive court fight to maintain his control. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were billed to Olvera’s own estate, which his guardian still controlled.

Full Article and Source:
Freedom Partners Launches New Ad Showing How Catherine Cortez Masto Let Down Nevada Seniors

Memphis lawyer investigated for mishandling veterans’ funds

by Michael Volpe 

As the VA investigation of a Memphis attorney continues, the financial damage caused by former lawyer Keith Dobbs to the veterans he was supposed to take care of is becoming clearer. 


Seal of the U.S. Veterans Administration. (Public domain, U.S. government image)

WASHINGTON, April 6, 2016 — The extent of the financial damage caused by a Memphis lawyer now under investigation by the Veterans Administration (VA) for mishandling veterans’ funds is now becoming more clear.

Matt Hall said that nearly the entire life savings of his sister, Blae Bryce, had  been taken by Memphis attorney Keith Dobbs. Bryce, a Navy veteran, was a ward in guardianship with her finances handled by Dobbs, the individual chosen to be her conservator.

Guardianship is a legal relationship that gives one or more individuals or agencies responsibility for the personal affairs of the protected person, defined as an individual who has been determined by the court to be either incompetent or incapacitated.

Things began to unravel for Dobbs when he became the subject of a January 2016 series of investigative pieces by  the Commercial Appeal, which broke the news that Dobbs was the subject of an investigation by the Veterans Administration.

The VA was “currently investigating allegations of misuse and replacing Mr. Keith Dobbs as fiduciary for all of our court-appointed Veterans,” according to an emailed statement sent to the Commercial Appeal by Dana M. Farr of the VA’s fiduciary hub and cited in a February 2016 article.

Martin Greenwell, spokesman for the Veterans Benefits Administration’s fiduciary hub in Louisville, Kentucky, which is heading the investigation, did not respond to a voicemail from CDN for comment.

In February 2016, Dobbs was removed as conservator for all his VA-related cases. Shortly thereafter he temporarily surrendered his license to practice law. Dobbs did not respond to an email requesting comment and his attorney, Matt Scholl, did not respond to a voice mail for comment.

While the VA unravels the extent of Dobbs’ apparent misdeeds, the veterans under his care have suffered. The February 2016 article by the Commercial Appeal focused on the plight of one veteran, Bobby Bouie, who received a lump sum settlement of $656,507 in 2012 for a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) claim from the VA. Bouie, who was under the care of Dobbs since that time, had an account balance of $1,600 when Dobbs was removed.

According to Matt Hall, his sister, Blae Bryce, who, like Bouie, is also disabled due to chronic PTSD, suffered a similar fate. He said she had received $720 per month and $2,905 in VA monthly benefits with $2105 in monthly rent, a $500 per month allowance and $110 for phone and cable.

Despite apparently having more than enough income to cover her monthly expenses, Hall said his sister’s bank balance has nearly been drained dry from a beginning balance of approximately $35,000 to less than $3,000 as of her most recent bank statement.

“Mr. Dobbs has been uncooperative as far as communicating, returning calls, emails and text, even in the best of times.” Hall said. “An example is when my sister’s cable and phone were disconnected during the Christmas Holidays 2014. It took him a week to return my call prior to Christmas. When he did finally call his response was that he would take care of it after (the Christmas) Holidays which would have been an additional 10 days, leaving her without [any] outside communications whatsoever.”

Ironically, guardianship is generally designed to protect individuals from themselves, financially and otherwise. But Hall views Dobbs as a predator and believes no one was there to protect Bryce from the man chosen by the VA to handle her finances.

“I think Dobbs is the lowest kind of criminal preying on disabled veterans,” Hall said to CDN. “These veterans served their country and this man has absolutely no respect for their sacrifice which made them his wards in the very first place. Hiding behind an attorney just shows that Keith Dobbs only cares about Keith Dobbs with no remorse for what he has been caught doing. Dobbs took everything, all of her $35K savings and social security over three years.”

Hall told CDN he had several arguments with Dobbs over spending issues until Dobbs blocked his email in January 2015. Hall said that this is the first time he has been able to see his sister’s bank balances since she was put into guardianship and Dobbs was made her conservator.

Dobbs was originally the subject of a Daily Caller exposé in 2014 featuring the plight of a Korean and Vietnam War veteran named Norman Hughes Jr., then 79. Hughes was forced to move out of the home of his caretaker, where he paid $2,700 per month and into a room in a retirement community where he had to pay $7,200 per month after Dobbs was named his conservator.

In Hughes’ case, he began with a bank balance of just more than $150,000 when he entered guardianship under Dobbs’ care. That balance had declined to $80,000 at the time the article was written.

“I need somebody’s help to help get me out of here,” Hughes said in the Daily Caller story when the DC called him in the nursing home.

Full Article & Source:
Memphis lawyer investigated for mishandling veterans’ funds

See Also:
NASGA Victims' Profile:  Norman Hughes - TN

CA Investigation: Frozen bank accounts add to woes of Memphis disabled vets

Bobby Bouie sobbed as he stood before the judge, turning heads as he pleaded his case.

The disabled veteran showed up unannounced this week in Shelby County Probate Judge Kathleen Gomes' courtroom with a hard-luck story: His power was getting cut off, he had no money, and he had no where to turn for help. So he returned to the court that oversees the disability payments he receives from the government — payments that suddenly stopped coming.

"My life's been holy hell,'' he later told a reporter.

Bouie's act of desperation marks the latest in a Department of Veterans Affairs unraveling of the actions of a now-fired fiduciary who ran the financial affairs of as many as 19 Memphis-area veterans. As the investigation grinds into its fourth week, some of those veterans, deemed mentally incompetent or otherwise incapable of handling their own money, are reporting severe financial hardships because their VA accounts, their financial lifelines, have been frozen.

"It was heart wrenching,'' said Memphis lawyer Bruce Kramer, in court that day on an unrelated matter. "Judge Gomes came down from the bench and spoke with him. She was as compassionate as I've ever seen a person be.''

Reached later at his home, Bouie, 53, an Army veteran who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, said he was thankful for the help. Gomes referred Bouie to Memphis Area Legal Services, which confirmed it is helping the VA assist veterans whose disability accounts were frozen in January as part of VA investigation.

Bouie said he's been told not to expect any disability payments until at least March 1. But his fears are much larger; he's worried about several hundred thousand dollars that had been sitting in bank accounts since he won a retroactive disability award from the VA in 2012. Family members say they can't get straight answers about whether the money is safe.

"It's got me so stressed out,'' said the solidly built Bouie.

Answers have been slow in coming since The Commercial Appeal reported last Sunday that federal investigators are reviewing actions by Memphis attorney Keith L. Dobbs, who has acted as a VA guardian or conservator for as many as 19 local veterans. Federal authorities have declined to discuss why they've launched the investigation or discuss any specifics of the case.

However, a Jan. 26 email from Dana M. Farr of the VA's fiduciary hub in Louisville, Ky., informed Probate Court the agency was " currently investigating allegations of misuse and replacing Mr. Keith Dobbs as fiduciary for all of our court-appointed Veterans.'' The email said Dobbs was acting as court-appointed fiduciary for 10 veterans, though he also acted as conservator for some other veterans outside court supervision.

Dobbs' attorney, Michael Scholl, said Friday he can't discuss particulars, but emphasized his client is cooperating with the investigation.

"We're going to help in any way we can to expedite this process so the individuals can get their bills paid,'' he said.

A problem, Scholl said, is accounts have been frozen as the VA brings in new fiduciaries to replace Dobbs. The lawyer said he understands that process should be completed next week.

Meantime, veterans are struggling to make ends meet.

One of those vets, David Meadows, woke up Monday to find a cutoff notice in the mail from Memphis Light, Gas & Water — a bill Dobbs regularly paid from Meadows' disability account.

"This is stressing me out,'' said Meadows, 62, of Millington, who, despite a number of health issues, was prepared to hop in his pickup and drive 20 miles to downtown Memphis to pay his bill.

Then suddenly on Tuesday the bill was paid.

Records obtained by the newspaper show MLGW rejected an automatic $223 payment from Meadows' VA account on Jan. 28. "Reason for Failure: ... Account Frozen,'' a report said.

On Tuesday, the bill was paid — not through Meadows' VA account but by way of Dobbs' personal Discover card.

"He's covering his ass,'' Meadows griped when told of the development.

Bouie, too, had an encounter last week with his former fiduciary, his family said.

"He's not supposed to have any contact with him,'' said Cynthia Rivers, Bouie's cousin, who said Dobbs called the family Thursday offering to assist the veteran financially until his situation settles.

Dobbs' attorney, Scholl, disputed the contention.

"My understanding is he hasn't contacted anybody,'' Scholl said.

Bouie's path to his current dilemma started in 2012 when he was awarded a $656,507 retroactive benefit on his claim of PTSD resulting from a stint in the Army back in 1982. His cousin, Rivers, considered becoming his fiduciary, but when she hesitated the family discovered the VA had appointed Dobbs, a stranger who has practiced law in Tennessee since 2007.

Court records show Dobbs quickly put Bouie's money to use, buying the veteran a $153,000 house on Mud Island, a car and other big-ticket items. An accounting in April showed the estate retained $322,000 in cash and investments.

However, Rivers said a VA representative told her last week only $1,600 remained in the account.

"I said, 'Are you serious? That money is supposed to be there the rest of his life.''

The family has been unable to get anything in writing and the VA did not return a reporter's calls for comment. Scholl declined comment.

Meantime, a brother of disabled veteran Blae Bryce said he received a call from the VA around in mid January informing him it was removing Dobbs as fiduciary.

"He said he was under investigation and he couldn't talk about it,'' said Matt Hall, the veteran's brother, who is now acting as her fiduciary.

Hall, who lives in suburban Dallas where he has relocated his sister, said he often warred with Dobbs over his sister's care.

"I thought he was finding ways to charge for stupid things,'' he said.

Hall said he was unaware of any specific irregularities but said he's eagerly awaiting Dobbs' final accounting.

"He has 30 days to account for everything.''

Full Article & Source:
CA Investigation: Frozen bank accounts add to woes of Memphis disabled vets

Appeals board reverses another VA executive’s punishment

WASHINGTON – An appeals board has handed the Department of Veterans Affairs a third straight reversal in a high-profile executive malfeasance case, this time voiding the dismissal of the embattled director of the Albany-Stratton VA Medical Center in New York.

But VA Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson is vowing not to reinstate the director, saying the Veterans Choice Act that Congress passed in 2014 gives him the authority to discipline staff, intensifying a growing battle between VA and the Merit Systems Protection Board, which hears appeals from federal employees about punishments.

“I am disappointed that the MSPB judge in this case did not afford my judgment the deference the Choice Act envisioned, but I will nevertheless continue to hold VA senior executives to the highest standards of conduct regardless of the risk of having my decisions overturned,” Gibson said in a released statement after the decision to reverse the dismissal of Albany-Stratton Director Linda Weiss. “Because of this high standard, I do not intend to return this individual to any position, in Albany or elsewhere, where she would be responsible for patient care or safety.”

Veterans Affairs officials have withstood criticism from lawmakers, who have harangued them routinely for not punishing executives accused of wrongdoing. Now department leadership faces a new challenge: an appeals board that is routinely voiding disciplinary actions, contending the VA is going too far in their punishments of executives.

In announcing the decision of Judge Arthur S. Joseph to overturn Weiss’s dismissal, the Merit Systems Protection Board did not give reasons for the decision, saying it will be released by Feb. 16.

“This is yet another MSPB ruling that defies common sense,” said Jeff Miller, R-Fla., the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. “It will likely force VA to create a do-nothing job for an employee it has no confidence in.”

At times, judges have struggled with Veterans Choice Act rules that force them to adjudicate VA appeals within 21 days. In one recent ruling, a judge who reversed VA’s proposed demotion of St. Paul (Minnesota) VA Regional Director Kimberly Graves noted she and the lawyers involved had just 2 ½ weeks to pore over 3,800 pages of documents.

William Spencer, spokesman for the Merit Systems Protection Board, would not comment Monday on the Weiss ruling or the board’s disagreement with VA over the department’s authority to discipline executives.

A VA spokeswoman said Monday that Weiss received information in March 2015 showing a certain nursing assistant “should not be involved in direct patient care” but did not remove the assistant from patient care until July. The spokeswoman did not offer more specifics.

More so, Weiss retired in January after finding out she would be removed and it is unclear what the judge’s ruling means as far as the department’s obligations, the VA spokeswoman said.

Two staff members were caught stealing drugs at the Albany-Stratton medical center during Weiss’ tenure as director. One staffer was found in the hospital incoherent with a used syringe nearby, according to the Albany Times-Union.

Weiss could not be reached for comment Monday.

The week before the Weiss decision, two other VA executives had high-profile disciplinary positions overturned. Diana Rubens and Graves, the directors of the Philadelphia and St. Paul VA regional offices respectively, were found to be involved in a scheme to move themselves to new positions with lesser responsibilities at their higher salaries while also receiving about $400,000 in relocation compensation.

VA had recommended Rubens and Graves be demoted and separate judges found both were guilty of wrongdoing. Yet, the MSPB overturned their punishments, finding the VA was inconsistent in its punishments.

The MSPB’s decisions also appear to be emboldening Miller to expand the scope of his criticism beyond VA, calling for reform of the entire federal employee disciplinary system.

“The MSPB coddles and protects misbehaving employees rather than facilitating fair and efficient discipline,” he said. “And as long as we have a system in place that requires a similar standard to discipline federal workers as it does to send criminals to prison, accountability problems at VA and across the government will only continue.”

Full Article & Source:
Appeals board reverses another VA executive’s punishment

CA Investigation: Memphis lawyer removed from veterans' cases amid investigation

David Meadows

David Meadows' life revolves around bottles of medicine cluttered on his living room end table and a $200-a-week spending allowance the disabled veteran receives from the federal government.

Still, it was a comfortable life, until the brain-damaged Army veteran got a call last week informing him his government-appointed conservator — a stranger who manages his money — was under federal investigation.

Meadows said a Department of Veterans Affairs representative reported his account had been frozen — it was unclear when his next check would come.

"If my bills aren't paid I'll be out on the street,'' the graying Meadows, 62, said from an easy chair in his modest Millington rental home.

Meadows is far from alone as the VA's Office of Inspector General investigates actions by Memphis attorney Keith L. Dobbs, a VA-appointed fiduciary who has overseen the financial affairs of as many as 18 Memphis-area veterans in recent years. A VA spokesman declined to discuss specifics of the probe, yet records show the government moved last week to replace Dobbs from control of estates involving four Memphis veterans. Sources knowledgeable of the investigation said they expect that number to grow.

Dobbs' attorney, Michael Scholl, declined to discuss the case, saying, "At this point it wouldn't be proper for us to comment on any investigation. It's Mr. Dobbs' plan to rectify any problems that may have arisen in these accounts if any do exist.''

An independent investigation by The Commercial Appeal shows Dobbs, a licensed lawyer in Tennessee since 2007, has run the financial affairs of as many as 18 Memphis-area veterans. Sixteen of those cases came under a process known as a VA guardianship. In those cases, the VA files a petition to secure an extra layer of supervision in a public court for fiduciaries who run the affairs of disabled and mentally incompetent veterans.

Tennessee law limits an individual other than a family member to no more than 12 VA guardianships at a time. However, the newspaper's review of Shelby County Probate Court records indicates that in January Dobbs may have been in control of as many as 14 VA estates, one worth as little as $1,500 and another as much as $294,000.

Probate Court Clerk Paul Boyd said he believes Dobbs has had as many as 10 to 20 cases but is uncertain if Dobbs ever exceeded the limit.

Boyd said he was alerted to potential troubles in late January when he received an email from the VA informing him it was "investigating allegations'' involving Dobbs.

"I received notification that the VA is taking him off their cases,'' Dobbs said. He declined to release a copy of that email. The newspaper filed a request for the email pursuant to the Tennessee Open Records Act and is awaiting a determination by the County Attorney's Office.

The clerk's office has done its own review of Dobbs' files but Boyd said, "There's nothing that we have seen in the public court to say anything is wrong.''

The VA filed petitions last week to remove Dobbs from four cases, replacing him with Memphis attorney Alan R. Wolfe. Wolfe said the VA selected him because he has experience as a guardian, but said he has not been apprised of any possible irregularities.

Replying to a reporter's inquiry, Martin Greenwell, spokesman for the Veterans Benefits Administration's fiduciary hub in Louisville, Ky., released a four-sentence statement that said in part, "The VA has and will always respond swiftly to address any allegations of wrongdoing in order to protect the beneficiaries we serve.'' He referred questions to the VA's Office of Inspector General in Washington, but a spokesman there did not respond to messages.

Meadows, the disabled veteran, said he detected troubles last month when a check from Dobbs failed to clear his bank.

"That's the second time it bounced,'' Meadows said, handing a reporter a letter from his bank and a copy of a $50 check that Dobbs wrote on Jan. 13 from Meadows' VA account.

Meadows said he receives $3,000 a month in veteran's benefits and another $1,300 a month in Social Security disability payments — money that went to Dobbs as his VA payee. Dobbs, in turn, paid Meadows' rent and utilities and provided Meadows with a weekly, $200 stipend for food and personal spending.

Meadows said he received a troubling phone call on Feb. 1 from a VA representative informing him Dobbs had been removed as his conservator and that the attorney was under federal investigation. Meadows said the agent told him his account has been temporarily frozen.

"He said I cannot expect another check.''

Meadows said he's scheduled to have a meeting Sunday with the VA agent. But he's worried and confused after placing a series of follow-up phone calls that went unreturned.

"I can't even get an answer from the VA,'' he said.

"I'll have to go downtown and beg for an opportunity to stay somewhere until this is resolved,'' he said.

"I gave what I had for my country ... And today I'm in fear of my life.''

Full Article & Source:
CA Investigation: Memphis lawyer removed from veterans' cases amid investigation

See Also:
Norman Hughes

Adult Medical Kidnapping in New York: 1950s Air Force Veteran Held Hostage in Hospital

With a great urgency, Laredo regular is seeking help for his grandfather, Julius Corley, who is still being held at Montefiore Wakefield, New York, illegally.

Laredo relates that his grandfather is refusing a feeding tube because he can eat on his own and has told visitors that he is hungry and not being fed. The hospital gives no reason as to why Julius needs the ‘tec’ or feeding tube, but Medicaid guidelines show the need of a feeding tube to be reasoning behind taking medical custody of a patient.

Is this a case of putting the “cart before the horse”?

Laredo says,“I was served with court papers on Thursday September 3 around 1pm at my office.

According to the court documents, my grandfather has continuously verbally refused having a feeding tube (PEG) placed in his stomach. Montefiore Wakefield Hospital is stating that it’s medically necessary because he has dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

I have contacted nearly every possible agency including Adult Protective Services, Department of Health, District Attorney’s office and various politicians with no results.

I have contacted various law firms and the majority don’t return my calls and one claimed that they are of “limited resources” and can’t represent everyone.

The first hearing date is on Wednesday September 9 at 10:30am at the Montefiore Wakefield Hospital (not at a court house).”

The District Attorney has referred Laredo to the Health Department who referred him back to the District Attorney’s office stating that the hospital has no right to hold his grandfather and the matter is of a criminal nature.

Laredo has been to over 30 attorneys and is asking for that special one who is willing to help him tomorrow morning at the hospital, or at least point him in the right direction.

How You Can Help
If you can and want to help Laredo and his grandfather Julius, please contact him at laredor90@yahoo.com; so that you can help this veteran, this man, this grandfather who simply wants to be in a safe place where he can live out the remainder of his days without being tortured or experimented upon. Laredo and his mother have full medical and custodial rights.

Laredo says,“Feeding tubes are used when people are basically unable to eat. My grandfather can eat and wants to. He has not had surgery or anything else that would make him unable to swallow. I have videos of him eating without any problems. They won’t say why the feeding tube is needed. But my grandfather knows he does not want to have the tube placed in his stomach. Can someone please help us!”

Full Article  Source:
Adult Medical Kidnapping in New York:  1950's Air Force Veteran Held Hostage in Hospital

Another victory in sight for New Fairfield’s 97-year-old World War II vet

Lou Russo

NEW FAIRFIELD — The victories continue to accumulate for Lou Russo — the 97-year-old World War II veteran who seems to get better at winning back the independence he lost in probate court the older he gets.

A Danbury nursing home that was suing Russo over a $100,000 bill he accrued while staying there against his will has apparently joined his growing circle of admirers, who have celebrated his enduring spirit by throwing backyard ceremonies and donating $125,000 in home improvements.

“He has been through enough, and he does not need the added tension and anxiety and stress of this lawsuit,” said Angelo Maragos, an attorney representing the nursing home, John Paul II Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. “(T)he overall plan here is to see if we can help Mr. Louis Russo rest easy and not have to worry about the nursing home obligation.”

The agreement has yet to be finalized in state Superior Court in Danbury.

Russo has always said the 17 months he spent in the nursing home, committed against his will by a court-appointed conservator, is an injustice that he could not forget. That’s why, when the nursing home offered to settle the bill for $10,000 in November, Russo responded the nursing home should pay him that amount instead.

On Tuesday, a cheerful Russo said he agreed to drop his grievance against the nursing home out of affection for his two greatest advocates — a Danbury contractor named Joe Schirmer and a former Marine from Bethel named Dan Gaita, who have chauffeured him to court dates.

“I think they are both wonderful people, and I wanted to relieve them of the burden of having to load me in and out of the car,” said Russo, “My grievances have in no way been addressed, but I wanted to bring an end to it for them.”

Russo’s gracious spirit is part of what has endeared him to scores of well-wishers, who have helped return him to the home he built in the woods just north of Putnam Lake, N.Y.

A bachelor who has been independent his whole life, Russo lost his freedom when he fell at his home in 2013 and a social worker saw the bad condition of his roof.

A court-appointed conservator named Mark Broadmeyer was supposed to manage Russo’s health and repair his home for his return. Instead, Broadmeyer sold Russo’s possessions, spent his life savings and illegally rented his home to another family.

It took Gaita’s zeal to galvanize enough support to free Russo and pursue justice. As part of that process, Housatonic Probate Court in New Milford ordered Broadmeyer to repay Russo $34,000 — money that has not been returned.

Russo’s refurbished home has been the scene of several high-profile community celebrations, including a Veterans Day ceremony in November that featured speeches, proclamations and citations in his honor.

“I lost a year and a half of my life and each day was torture, but I’m feeling great,” Russo said Tuesday from his home. “The work they did on my house I couldn’t have done in five years, and that helps me keep my mind off of things as well.”

Full Article & Source:
Another victory in sight for New Fairfield’s 97-year-old World War II vet