Family Files Elder Abuse Lawsuit Against In-Home Care Provider Following Death of 87-Year-Old Woman

News provided by

Siegal & Richardson, LLP

Lawsuit alleges caregiver negligence resulted in multiple fractures, severe pain, and suffering during elderly woman's final weeks

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A San Francisco court will soon be asked to determine the extent of the neglect and abuse that a family alleges an in-home care attendant inflicted upon an elderly woman, resulting in devastating injuries and contributing to her painful death.

What should have been a time of comfort, dignity, and compassionate care became a nightmare for 87-year-old June Cohen and her family. 

The lawsuit, Matt Cohen v. Aviva In Home Care, was brought by a San Francisco Bay Area family who entrusted the care of their elderly mother to a professional in-home care provider. Instead of receiving the safety and protection she desperately needed, Mrs. Cohen allegedly suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of the very caregiver hired to help her.

According to the lawsuit, on the night of August 10, 2026, an allegedly inexperienced home care attendant dropped Mrs. Cohen, aggravating a preexisting fracture and causing several additional fractures. The injuries left her suffering through the final weeks of her life in hospice care, where, according to the family's allegations, she endured excruciating pain before her death.

The complaint alleges that Aviva In Home Care violated its legal obligations under California's elder abuse laws, including provisions of the Welfare and Institutions Code, by failing to provide the level of care and protection owed to a vulnerable elderly woman.

For families across America, the case raises a deeply troubling question: When we place our aging parents in the hands of professional caregivers, how can we be certain they are safe?

As our population ages, millions of families face the difficult decision of entrusting their loved ones to outside caregivers. They do so believing these professionals will provide compassion, competence, and protection. But as the Cohen family's allegations illustrate, failures in elderly care can have heartbreaking and potentially fatal consequences.

The Cohen family is now seeking accountability through the courts, while their case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of proper caregiver training, oversight, and the protection of our most vulnerable citizens.

A copy of the filed complaint is available to members of the media upon request.

Media Contact

Joel H. Siegal, Esq, Siegal & Richardson, LLP, 1 (510) 271-6720, press@moiralouisepr.com, https://siegalrichardsonlaw.com/

Moira Noiseux, MoiraLouisePR, 1 5107179923, press@moiralouisepr.com, moiralouisepr.com

Source:
Family Files Elder Abuse Lawsuit Against In-Home Care Provider Following Death of 87-Year-Old Woman 

Family Files Elder Abuse Lawsuit Against In-Home Care Provider Following Death of 87-Year-Old Woman

Lawsuit alleges caregiver negligence resulted in multiple fractures, severe pain, and suffering during elderly woman's final weeks

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A San Francisco court will soon be asked to determine the extent of the neglect and abuse that a family alleges an in-home care attendant inflicted upon an elderly woman, resulting in devastating injuries and contributing to her painful death.

What should have been a time of comfort, dignity, and compassionate care became a nightmare for 87-year-old June Cohen and her family.

The lawsuit, Matt Cohen v. Aviva In Home Care, was brought by a San Francisco Bay Area family who entrusted the care of their elderly mother to a professional in-home care provider. Instead of receiving the safety and protection she desperately needed, Mrs. Cohen allegedly suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of the very caregiver hired to help her.

According to the lawsuit, on the night of August 10, 2026, an allegedly inexperienced home care attendant dropped Mrs. Cohen, aggravating a preexisting fracture and causing several additional fractures. The injuries left her suffering through the final weeks of her life in hospice care, where, according to the family's allegations, she endured excruciating pain before her death.

The complaint alleges that Aviva In Home Care violated its legal obligations under California's elder abuse laws, including provisions of the Welfare and Institutions Code, by failing to provide the level of care and protection owed to a vulnerable elderly woman.

For families across America, the case raises a deeply troubling question: When we place our aging parents in the hands of professional caregivers, how can we be certain they are safe?

As our population ages, millions of families face the difficult decision of entrusting their loved ones to outside caregivers. They do so believing these professionals will provide compassion, competence, and protection. But as the Cohen family's allegations illustrate, failures in elderly care can have heartbreaking and potentially fatal consequences.

The Cohen family is now seeking accountability through the courts, while their case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of proper caregiver training, oversight, and the protection of our most vulnerable citizens.

A copy of the filed complaint is available to members of the media upon request.

Media Contact

Joel H. Siegal, Esq, Siegal & Richardson, LLP, 1 (510) 271-6720, press@moiralouisepr.com, https://siegalrichardsonlaw.com/

Moira Noiseux, MoiraLouisePR, 1 5107179923, press@moiralouisepr.com, moiralouisepr.com 

Full Article & Source:
Family Files Elder Abuse Lawsuit Against In-Home Care Provider Following Death of 87-Year-Old Woman 

Smokey Robinson Accused Of Sexual Abuse — Fights Back With $500M Lawsuit! | Celebrity News

Motown legend Smokey Robinson is in the headlines after being accused of sexual abuse by four former housekeepers. 

But now, the 85-year-old soul music icon is fighting back with a $500 million lawsuit for defamation and elder abuse. 

According to court documents, Smokey Robinson claims the women and their attorney conspired to ruin his reputation and extort him for money. 

The lawsuit paints a very different picture—from luxury gifts to a Cabo vacation, he says he’s the one who was betrayed. 

This case is rocking the world of Motown, love songs, and celebrity news. 

We’re breaking down the Smokey Robinson allegations, the legal battle ahead, and what this means for his legacy. 

Source:
Smokey Robinson Accused Of Sexual Abuse — Fights Back With $500M Lawsuit! | Celebrity News 

Stan Lee’s Daughter Settles Elder Abuse Lawsuit Against Ex-Manager Accused of Theft

by Winston Cho

The daughter of Stan Lee, J.C., has settled a lawsuit against Max Anderson, the comic book legend’s former longtime road manager accused of elder abuse and pilfering tens of millions of dollars in memorabilia, autograph revenue and appearance fees.

Ahead of a trial slated to start next week, both sides on Thursday informed the court of a deal to resolve the case. The agreement is conditioned on the completion of certain undisclosed terms. Further details weren’t revealed.

At the heart of the lawsuit: Allegations that Anderson leveraged his control over Lee’s life to steal over $21 million — as well as hundreds of pieces of collectibles and memorabilia, including Batman creator Bob Kane’s original drawing of the “Joker” and movie props featured across Marvel movies — toward the end of his former boss’ life.

Shortly after meeting Lee around 2007, Anderson assumed exclusive control of his operations for comic book conventions and public appearances until he was pushed out of Lee’s circle by J.C in 2017. He also acted as a caretaker for the aging comic book writer, who was in his 80s and 90s at the time and was essentially blind, coordinating health care services while serving as a business fiduciary in some dealings.

Over the course of almost a decade, Anderson, who said he didn’t receive monetary compensation for his work and was paid in the form of autographs on collectibles, accompanied Lee to 111 comic book conventions around the world. At these conventions, Anderson and a business partner operated a booth where fans could purchase a signatures on collectibles for up to $120 a piece. The origins of the business, “Stan Lee Collectibles,” was a subject of the lawsuit, which alleged that Lee didn’t see any profits from the venture. Before Lee died, he signed an agreement granting Anderson a worldwide license for use of his name and likeness in perpetuity for a dollar, the lawsuit alleged.

J.C. claimed that Anderson pushed her father to work tireless hours until months before his death. She accused him of stealing at least $11.1 million in autograph revenue and $10.2 million in appearance fees. Anderson has denied ever handling money at events, which saw Lee earn roughly $35,000 in a single day signing autographs and taking pictures. 

At trial, witnesses, including Anderson’s twin brother who worked security at some events, were set to testify that they saw Anderson handling “duffle bags” of cash, which was allegedly used to buy art and other luxury items, according to court filings. Anderson’s ex-wife was also set to tell the court that she saw Anderson handle significant amounts of cash after returning home from events with Lee and that he kept “stacks of cash” in a large bedroom safe. Lawyers for J.C. claimed that Anderson’s personal wealth and assets ballooned in the years he worked for Lee.

A contentious part of the litigation was a museum intended to house Lee’s memorabilia, collectibles and personal items to be featured at various comic book conventions. Anderson, through his license for use of Lee’s name and likeness, arranged for Lee to gift him personal items that were to be placed in the museum but were allegedly rerouted to Anderson’s businesses. For the last decade, the pieces have been in Anderson’s possession at his comic book store and home while the museum has only been featured at a handful of conventions, the lawsuit alleged.

Anderson has said that he can’t identify which items belong to the museum and that much of it was stolen, damaged or thrown out since they weren’t valuable. J.C.’s lawyers have pushed back on that assertion, pointing to a lawsuit he filed over collectibles stolen from his home, including original movie props like Iron Man’s mask, the arm of Nebula from Guardians of the Galaxy and a set of X-23 claws from Logan.

Lawyers for J.C. and Anderson didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Full Article & Source:
Stan Lee’s Daughter Settles Elder Abuse Lawsuit Against Ex-Manager Accused of Theft

See Also:
Stan Lee’s Daughter Speaks Out on Elder Abuse Allegations

Judge dismisses theft charges against Stan Lee's former manager

Stan Lee’s Estate Settles With Ex-Business Manager in Elder Abuse Case  

Stan Lee’s estate settles elder abuse lawsuit against ex-business manager 

 

Stan Lee Needs Saving, Not By A Superhero, But By A Conservator

 

Stan Lee Needs a Hero: Elder Abuse Claims and a Battle Over the Aging Marvel Creator

Judge Dismisses Restraining Order Protecting Stan Lee 

 

Allegations Of Abuse Marred Stan Lee’s Last Years — A Guardianship Might Have Protected Him

 

Stan Lee Elder Abuse Case

Estate of Former U.S. Cadet Nurse Files Landmark Elder Abuse Lawsuit Against The Hebrew Home of Greater Washington

News provided by

Estate of Sara McAlpin

Sep 26, 2024, 16:15 ET

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From Bedsores to Black Eyes, Evidence in this Case Reveals Alleged Atrocities Inside Maryland's Largest Nursing Home  

ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a case that is being hailed as part of a new "#MeToo moment for elder abuse," the Estate of Sara McAlpin, a former United States Cadet Nurse who dedicated her life to serving others, has filed a lawsuit against the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, the largest nursing home in the state of Maryland, for elder abuse, negligence, false claims, wrongful death, breach of contract and fraud.

Sara McAlpin, who passed away at the age of 96, succumbed to complications of elder abuse, including a Stage 4 pressure ulcer, also known as a bed sore - a condition that medical professionals universally recognize as a clear sign of neglect. Her injury, the most severe type of bed sore, was characterized by exposed bone, damage to underlying tissue, and an elevated white blood cell count. It was 4x4x3 cm and larger than the diameter of a teacup.

According to the seven-count complaint, "as a result of deceptive marketing practices, substandard care and infection control, gross understaffing, persistent and continuous roach and vermin infestations, a failure to comply with federal and state law, the Maryland Department of Health regulations, and other relevant regulations, and a failure to meet the most basic needs and contractual obligations of residents, Sara McAlpin and scores of vulnerable elders have experienced pain and suffering or even death at the hands of the very professionals entrusted with their care."

"The tragic irony of a nurse dying from one of the most preventable and insidious problems she would have seen in her own profession cannot be overstated," said Ian McCaleb, spokesperson for the Estate of Sara McAlpin. "Bed sores of this severity are, by definition, the result of neglect."

The lawsuit sheds light on the pervasive issue of elder abuse in the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. According to the National Council on Aging, approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. According to reports, only about one in 24 cases of abuse is reported to authorities.

"Sara McAlpin spent her formative years caring for others as a U.S. Cadet Nurse during World War II. She deserved far better than to die from neglect at the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington," McCaleb stated. "This lawsuit isn't just about Sara; it's about giving a voice to all elderly individuals who suffer in silence."

The case brings attention to the often-overlooked issue of elder abuse, particularly in care settings where residents are most vulnerable. According to medical experts, pressure ulcers, especially those progressing to Stage 4, are preventable with proper care and attention.

The Hebrew Home of Greater Washington provides long-term care and rehabilitation services to the elderly community. Managed by Charles E. Smith Life Communities, the facility is licensed by the Maryland Department of Health's Office of Health Care Quality and the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Licensure and Regulatory Services.

"We're calling this the #MeToo case of elder abuse because it's time to break the silence," McCaleb added. "Just as the #MeToo movement brought sexual harassment and assault into the spotlight, we aim to expose the systemic issues leading to elder abuse and neglect, even in facilities as prominent as the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington."

This lawsuit comes at a crucial time when Maryland is taking steps to address elder abuse. In July 2023, the Maryland General Assembly authorized the Task Force on Preventing and Countering Elder Abuse. This task force is charged with studying current laws, policies, and practices related to elder abuse, signaling a growing recognition of the issue at the state level.

The lawsuit, filed in The Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland, seeks monetary and punitive damages and calls for systemic changes in elder care practices, not only at the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington but across all care facilities in the state and nation.

For more information about the lawsuit, see case no. C-15-CV-23-0046654.

For media inquiries and the estate's investigation into elder abuse and neglect at the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington d/b/a Charles E. Smith Life Communities, contact elderabuseinquiries@gmail.com.

About Sara McAlpin: She was the proud mother of two children, grandmother to four grandchildren, and "Auntie" to countless nieces and nephews. At the time of her death, Sara McAlpin, age 96, was a retired licensed practical nurse, educator, and child advocate. She served as a United States Cadet Nurse during World War II and continued her nursing career for over four decades, touching countless lives with her dedication and compassion. She co-founded a Montessori school in Philadelphia in 1968. In addition, she served as a special education teacher for the Philadelphia Board of Education. Before retiring, she attended the Birmingham School of Law from 1988-1991.

SOURCE Estate of Sara McAlpin

Source:
Estate of Former U.S. Cadet Nurse Files Landmark Elder Abuse Lawsuit Against The Hebrew Home of Greater Washington

Elder abuse lawsuit against Chesapeake councilmember heads to trial

Source:
Elder abuse lawsuit against Chesapeake councilmember heads to trial

Katherine Jackson reportedly being blocked from seeing grandchildren by other family members

By Jessica Wedemeyer

The Jackson family drama continues.

TMZ reports that members of the Jackson clan are blocking matriarch Katherine Jackson from seeing her grandchildren — the late Michael Jackson's kids: Prince Michael Jackson, Blanket Jackson and Paris Jackson — as part of an ongoing elder abuse lawsuit against her nephew-in-law, Trent Jackson, that has the family divided.

According to TMZ sources connected to the Jacksons, Michael's kids were not told that their grandmother had returned to Los Angeles from London on March 29 after two months away "out of fear they'll reprogram [her] and derail her legal battle with Trent Jackson."

(TMZ adds that when Katherine arrived at LAX Airport, her daughter Rebbie Jackson "desperately" tried to block their cameras.)

Other sources connected to the family have reportedly told the website that Katherine was secretly taken to the home of one of her children instead of to her own home.

She's back in L.A. to testify against Trent, who has accused Rebbie and Jermaine Jackson of masterminding the elder abuse lawsuit against him in an attempt to gain control of their mother's wealth.

TMZ sources say that Trent's camp thinks Rebbie and Jermaine are worried that Paris and Prince will encourage their grandmother to drop the lawsuit.

Back in 2012 when Katherine was suddenly whisked away to Arizona for two weeks, Paris accused Jermaine and other members of the family of kidnapping her.

"I haven't spoken with her in a week I want her home now," the burgeoning model-actress tweeted at the time.

"I will defend my beloved family member with all I have, even if it means from other family members," she added.

TMZ concludes that its sources believe the fact that Katherine still hasn't seen Paris or her siblings is "a strong sign someone doesn't want a repeat of 2012."

Full Article & Source:

Katherine Jackson reportedly being blocked from seeing grandchildren by other family members

Is ‘Star Trek’ Actress Nichelle Nichols Experiencing Conservator Abuse?

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Is former "Star Trek" star Nichelle Nichols experiencing conservator abuse?

The actress, best known for playing Lieutenant Uhura on the TV series and in films, has been under conservatorship since 2018 and her son Kyle has been her conservator. People close to the actress are concerned and claim she has been stripped of the things she has worked for, including her friend and producer Angelique who has come to The Doctors.

Angelique says the actress asked her to make a video of her expressing what she wanted in her final years and claims the actress was angry at her son for putting her in a rest home. Angelique also claims she noticed that items in Nichelle's home were disappearing, including the entire contents of her closet.

"She did not like the way that [Kyle] would treat her," Angelique says of the actress, noting a video surfaced of Nichelle and her son, that Angelique describes as an "abuse video" where her son allegedly "manhandles" and "curses her out," Angelique says after she made public comments about the video, Kyle blocked her from seeing the "Star Trek" actress. Additionally, the actress' home was sold in 2020 and Angelique says Kyle has moved her to New Mexico, without giving her the opportunity to appear in court and express what she wants and where she would like to live.

"I have not seen my friend Nichelle Nichols in several years. I love her and I just want her to be safe," Angelique tells The Doctors, claiming Nichelle's wishes have not been honored regarding her living situation.

Attorney Ann-Margeret Carrozza says in Nichelle's case -- where there was a report of a dementia diagnosis -- selling her home and moving her to a new state is very concerning. She says it is incumbent for the court to ensure that as little as possible changes when someone with dementia is under a conservatorship, including their living arrangement and social interactions. She questions how it is in Nichelle's best interest to be cut off from people in her social network like Angelique.

"The question for the court is, 'Does [Nichelle] need a conservator?" Ann-Margeret says, explaining that question is usually answered by the court deciding if someone is capable of making good decisions. 

Psychiatrist Dr. Domenick Sportelli shares what occurs in a traditional capacity evaluation and says it includes taking these steps and answering the following questions:

• Full mental status evaluation should be performed
• Does someone understand their current medical problems and treatment?
• Is there an underlying mood disorder?

"I just want Nichelle to get her rights and have the ability... to enjoy the rest of her life at least close to the manner in which she wanted," Angelique tells The Doctors. 

Nichelle's former manager told The Doctors in a statement, "The story about Nichelle being removed from her home against her will is true. From the day I met Nichelle, the first thing out of her mouth was, she never wanted to be moved out of her home under any circumstances. She wanted to pass away there and she made me promise that could be her dying wish." 

The actress' son Kyle did not respond to our request for comment.

Full Article & Source:

Is ‘Star Trek’ Actress Nichelle Nichols Experiencing Conservator Abuse?

 

See Also:

Nichelle Nichols

Update on Nichelle Nichols’ Fight for Control of Her Estate

Actress Nichelle Nichols arrives at the premiere of Neon's "Colossal" at the Vista Theatre

Since 2018, Nichelle Nichols, the iconic actress who portrayed Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek: The Original Series, has been entangled in a legal battle over control of her estate. Kyle Johnson, her only child, claims that his mother’s former manager, Gilbert Bell, committed elder abuse by taking advantage of her diminished capacity to steal her money and control her finances. Bell claims that Johnson has been intimidating him and Nichols for years and that Johnson is attempting to sell Nichols’s properties out from under her.

The allegations have led to a complicated, multi-year battle over who will control Nichols’ estate, specifically, the properties she owns in the Woodland Hills section of Los Angeles.

According to the California judicial system’s website, a conservatorship is a legal arrangement where a person or group of people is placed in charge of another person’s financial dealings. Conservatorships are granted when someone is deemed incapable of responsibly managing their own financial affairs.

According to Vulture, conservatorships have made headlines in the past few years because some high-profile celebrities, like Britney Spears and Amanda Bynes, have had conservatorships established. Both Spears and Bynes were deemed unfit to manage their finances and their careers after having mental health crises.

Johnson petitioned a Los Angeles County Court to grant a conservatorship over his mother in 2018 because she had been diagnosed with dementia. According to his countersuit against Bell, Johnson also filed for conservatorship so that he could prevent Bell from continuing to control his mother’s finances and career.

Nichols’ legal battle became headline news again over the summer when her sister, Marian Smothers, started a GoFundMe to raise money for Nichols’ legal fees. The various suits and countersuits filed by Bell and Johnson have been tied up in the legal system for over two years. There are multiple lawsuits involved in the legal battle in California.

The GoFundMe page included a long note from Smothers, which laid out the allegations against Bell. The page contained a streamlined version of the allegations included in Johnson’s countersuit, which was filed just a few weeks before the GoFundMe went live.

According to Indiewire, Bell’s lawyer, William Bowen, responded to both the countersuit and the GoFundMe. In a written statement, Bowen refuted the claims made in the GoFundMe summary and the countersuit. He also maintained that Bell had never defrauded Nichols, stolen from her, or committed elder abuse.

The latest legal action in the case came in November 2020. City News Service reported that Johnson submitted a petition in the state of New Mexico for his conservatorship over Nichols to be valid in that state. Johnson, who lived in New Mexico previously, moved back to the state with his mother after his permanent conservatorship was granted. The move was approved by a California judge in August 2020.

Since the conservatorship was granted by a judge in California, it needs to be reviewed by the New Mexico courts to make it valid in that state. Nichols’ sister, the same one who started the GoFundMe, submitted documents to the court stating her support for the move. Smothers wrote that Johnson’s move back to New Mexico was best for both Johnson and Nichols as Johnson had an established community in the state that could help him care for his mother. She also stated that Nichols’ other family members were not able to care for her due to health and familial issues, so Johnson was the best person to be her primary caregiver.

However, the legal battles still underway in California could create problems for Johnson’s petition to the New Mexico courts. A friend of Nichols’, Angelique Fawcett, initially opposed Johnson becoming the conservator of Nichols’s estate, as she told People in 2019. She sided with Bell in the legal battles between him and Johnson, going so far as to file a petition to stop the conservatorship. She retracted that challenge after Johnson agreed to let her see Nichols regularly.

However, Fawcett has claimed that Johnson began preventing her from seeing Nichols in 2019. Through her lawyer, she requested that the court enforce her right to visit Nichols. Since this piece of the legal battle over Nichols’ affairs has not been resolved, it could pose problems for the conservatorship case in New Mexico as Fawcett no longer has access to these visits.

In November, a California judge declined to rule on Fawcett’s request, leaving it to the New Mexico courts.

Full Article & Source:

Update on Nichelle Nichols’ Fight for Control of Her Estate 

 

See Also: 

GoFundMe Launched To Raise Funds For Star Trek Legend Nichelle Nichols’ Elder Abuse Lawsuit

 

Star Trek Actress’ Son Named His Mother’s Permanent Conservator

Friend Opposes Bid by Actress’ Son For Permanent Conservatorship

‘Star Trek’ Actress Court Battle: Judge Won’t Go

Star Trek ‘Lt. Uhura’ on 1960s TV Now Target of Court Battle Over Conservatorship

Star Trek‘s Nichelle Nichols Goes to Court Over Guardianship Issues

Star Trek Actress' Son Seeks New Conservatorship for Mom in NM

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Nichelle Nichols' son will ask a New Mexico court to grant him a new conservatorship of his mother in that state, where he moved the 87-year-old “Star Trek'' actress on Sunday, his attorney told a Los Angeles judge today.

When Nichols was still living at her longtime Woodland Hills home, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Barbara Johnson appointed 68-year-old Kyle Johnson -- who is not related to the judge -- as the permanent conservator of his mother's person and her estate. The judge said a conservatorship was appropriate because of Nichols' dementia. In August, the judge approved the move of Nichols to New Mexico.

Judge Johnson has since retired and during this morning's hearing, Kyle Johnson's lawyer, Jeffrey Marvan, told Judge Paul Suzuki that his client interviewed two New Mexico lawyers about handling the new conservatorship there. Marvan said the two lawyers were both in a race to be elected judge and that the loser will be the one hired.

“OK, that's an interesting dilemma you have there,'' Suzuki told Marvan.

In a sworn declaration submitted to the court earlier in support of Kyle Johnson's move of his mother to New Mexico, one of the actress' sisters, Marion Smothers, noted that her nephew has lived in that state with his wife since the early 1990s.

“He is a respected member of his community and the former general manager of a radio station; he has many friends and a network of resources to support him,'' Smothers wrote.

Smothers said Nichols' income is limited and that her life has been impacted by aging and the coronavirus' effect on the economy. Smothers also said she already cares for her disabled husband and that Nichols' other siblings have health concerns of their own.

Meanwhile, Suzuki said he would defer to the New Mexico courts on a request by Angelique Fawcett, a friend of Nichols, to resume previous visits she had with the actress through a court order. Fawcette says she agreed in December 2018 to drop her challenge to Johnson being made his mother's permanent conservator in exchange for two monthly meetings with Nichols, who she met in 2012.

For years, the two went to lunch together and visited each other on Christmas, according to Fawcette's court papers. But Fawcette maintains in her court papers that Johnson stopped allowing the visits in 2019. Her attorney, Farris Ain, asked that the visit be resumed, even if they were by video.

But Marvan told Suzuki the visits stopped after Fawcette allegedly violated a non-disclosure agreement.

“If the person is in New Mexico, I'd rather let them decide,'' Suzuki said. “I'm especially concerned if someone is leaking information to the media.''

Nichols played Lt. Uhura, a translator and communications officer, aboard the USS Enterprise in the “Star Trek'' series that ran on NBC from 1966-69, and also appeared in some of the later “Star Trek'' movies.

Her son had a major role in the 1969 film “The Learning Tree.''

 

Full Article & Source:

Star Trek Actress' Son Seeks New Conservatorship for Mom in NM 

 

See Also: 

GoFundMe Launched To Raise Funds For Star Trek Legend Nichelle Nichols’ Elder Abuse Lawsuit

 

Star Trek Actress’ Son Named His Mother’s Permanent Conservator

Friend Opposes Bid by Actress’ Son For Permanent Conservatorship

‘Star Trek’ Actress Court Battle: Judge Won’t Go

Star Trek ‘Lt. Uhura’ on 1960s TV Now Target of Court Battle Over Conservatorship

Star Trek‘s Nichelle Nichols Goes to Court Over Guardianship Issues

GoFundMe Launched To Raise Funds For Star Trek Legend Nichelle Nichols’ Elder Abuse Lawsuit

by Jorge Arenas

A GoFundMe page has been opened to help Star Trek legend Nichelle Nichols raise money for her ongoing elder abuse lawsuit against her former manager.

The GoFund me page was started by Nichelle Nichol’s sister, Marian Smothers, on behalf of the Star Trek actress.

Nichols is currently entrenched in an going legal battle with her former manager, Gilbert Bell.

According to the GoFundme, Bell infiltrated Nichols’ life beginning in 2010, on the premise that “he was a producer and that he was developing a feature film in which he hoped to have Nichelle co-star as well as be a 50-50 partner in the enterprise and its profits.”

Bell would continue to “[insinuate] himself into her life”, most egregiously by moving into a “property adjacent to her residence” and “compelling Nichelle to pay all his utilities”.

Smothers asserts that, in 2013, “Bell took advantage of the situation to obtain her signature on medical and general Powers of Attorney,” as well as “fees from her many personal appearances, and even her pension and Social Security.”

That same year, Nichols was diagnosed with dementia and short-term memory loss.

However, the straw that broke the camel’s back was when Bell “later deeded her personal residence into his name.”

Smothers states that this “was the final act that triggered the Petition for Conservatorship eventually granted to her son, Kyle Johnson.”

Since Johnson “returned to Los Angeles to be Nichelle’s full time caregiver and subsequently, Conservator of her Person and Estate” in 2018, Smothers claims Bell “has slandered Kyle’s good name in numerous publications.”

Johnson, as many remember, was at the center of some controversy last year when a video surfaced of his mother screaming for help during an altercation. 

In the video, which depicts Johnson’s attempt to take his mother home, he can be heard telling Nichols, “Mother, we’re going home,” to which Nichoes starts to yell, “Hell! No! No!…Get your hands off me…You’re trying to get rid of me!”

However, Smothers clarifies that this was a “staged encounter” and notes that Bell “[released] the video to media outlets and the LAPD, and filed suit demanding the continued fraudulent possession of her adjacent property under onerous terms.”

Smothers and Nichols’ family “believe that Bell has taken financial advantage of Nichelle to the tune of well over a million dollars, but we have only scratched the surface.”

The GoFundMe page concludes with an endorsement of the campaign and message of support from fellow Star Trek: The Original Series actor Walter Koening.

Koening states that Nichols “has been a true and loyal friend for over fifty years” who “has been financially abused by a person pretending to protect her interests.”

He urges everyone who knows what a beautiful person she is to support the GoFundMe established in her name.

The GoFundMe has currently raised $64,110 from over just over 1,700 donors. The campaign is aiming to raise $100,000.

Full Article & Source:
GoFundMe Launched To Raise Funds For Star Trek Legend Nichelle Nichols’ Elder Abuse Lawsuit

See Also:
Star Trek Actress’ Son Named His Mother’s Permanent Conservator

Friend Opposes Bid by Actress’ Son For Permanent Conservatorship

‘Star Trek’ Actress Court Battle: Judge Won’t Go

Star Trek ‘Lt. Uhura’ on 1960s TV Now Target of Court Battle Over Conservatorship

Star Trek‘s Nichelle Nichols Goes to Court Over Guardianship Issues

Elder care giant’s CEO on $42.5 million verdict in elder abuse lawsuit: ‘Eskaton will survive’

Residents at an Eskaton Care Center in Sacramento in 2015. A Sacramento jury awarded $42.5 million to the family of a woman who died after a brief stay at Eskatonâs Orangevale assisted living facility. A lawsuit claimed the woman was given the sedative Ativan. Randall Benton Bee file

Read more here: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article229700034.html?fbclid=IwAR1jyNpNoXGSHwVEBi2oawwIz7Y6rj-ezeFa7lKtGU7I62IaGx2m00-ka7Q#storylink=cpy

By Sam Stanton
 
In what one elder abuse advocate says is the largest verdict of its kind in Sacramento history, a jury has awarded $42.5 million in punitive and compensatory damages to the family of a woman who died after being sent to live in Eskaton’s assisted living facility in Orangevale.

The verdict – $35 million in punitive damages awarded late Thursday on top of $7 million in compensatory damages awarded last week – comes seven years after 77-year-old Barbara Lovenstein died because of what her family attorneys say was routine drugging of the woman with the prescription drug Ativan without her consent.

“Every morning she was given Ativan, which is a black box drug that you need informed consent to give, and after 26 doses she was so zonked out she choked (on chicken nuggets),” said Carole Herman, president of the Foundation Aiding The Elderly, who filed a complaint with the state in April 2012 against the Eskaton FountainWood Lodge.

The state Department of Social Services found the complaint that “resident medication not given as prescribed” was “substantiated,” and Sacramento elder abuse attorney Ed Dudensing began a long legal fight in Sacramento Superior Court that culminated with the jury awards.

Reached late Thursday, Dudensing declined to comment.

Eskaton CEO Todd Murch confirmed the company had been hit with a huge verdict and said “we certainly acknowledge there was a medication error.”

Murch said the verdict was “very discouraging and upsetting.”

“We’ve never had an experience like this,” he said.

But, he added, the 50-year-old Sacramento non-profit will survive.

“We’re very proud of our reputation over 50 years in the Sacramento area and proud of our employees and services,” Murch said Friday. “We do accept responsibility for our mistakes and we will need to work through this.

“My message to employees is we need to be open and transparent about what’s occurring, but we should all be proud of what we do. Eskaton will survive and continue to provide services for a long time to come in the Sacramento area.”

Herman said she believed the verdict was the largest ever in the county in an elder abuse case.

According to the original complaint filed by Dudensing in November 2012, Lovenstein was admitted to the facility on Feb. 24, 2012 “for short-term rehabilitation.”

Herman said Lovenstein had dementia and had been living at home with her sister. Lovenstein had previously been diagnosed with epilepsy and had a prescription for the sedative Ativan “that was only to be given for seizure-like activity,” the lawsuit said.

Four days into her stay, Lovenstein began refusing medications and within days staffers began administering Ativan “for her agitation.”

On March 5, 2012, staff asked Lovenstein’s primary care doctor for a routine dosage of Ativan for her, but the doctor denied the request, the lawsuit said.

“Even after Ms. Lovenstein’s physician denied the request for routine Ativan, FountainWood staff continued to administer Ativan every day at 6 a.m. for ‘agitation,’” the suit said.

By March 20, 2012, Lovenstein’s sister, Jean Charles became so concerned that she took her sister to see the primary care doctor, the suit said.

“When Ms. Charles picked up Ms. Lovenstein for her appointment she was limp, unable to walk and had to be assisted into her vehicle,” the suit said. “Ms. Lovenstein did even not recognize Jean or her physician.”

Two days later, the sister went to the home to pack up Lovenstein’s belongings and take her home, the suit says. But before everything could be packed, Lovenstein was given lunch, began to choke and was taken to the emergency room at Sutter Roseville, the suit said.

She was found to have aspiration pneumonia, was coughing up her lunch and could not swallow water, the suit said. She was discharged March 28, 2012, and died April 11, 2012.

Eskaton runs care facilities and residential communities throughout Northern California, and Herman said the problems with the Orangevale facility came down to one frequently seen in care homes: understaffing.

“The basic problem was that Eskaton FountainWood was insufficiently staffed and could not meet the needs of the residents,” she wrote in an email. “Drugs are then used which is considered chemical restraints to control the residents so that staff does not have to deal with them.”

The state’s conclusion following its 2012 investigation was succinct: “Primary care physician medication orders and communication were not followed.”

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Elder care giant’s CEO on $42.5 million verdict in elder abuse lawsuit: ‘Eskaton will survive’