Tribute to Latifa Ring by Jeff Prince, Reporter for Fort Worth Weekly

Latifa Ring, a Houston woman who advocated for elderly citizens swept up in guardianship cases, has died after a lengthy illness. She was 59.

“She had more love in one little finger than some people have in their whole bodies,” said Dorothy Luck, a Fort Worth woman who, with Ring’s help, was able to battle herself out of guardianship case that had been thrust upon her by a Tarrant County probate court judge.

Ring became a guardianship activist after discovering that some probate judges in Texas and across the country abuse their powers to take over the lives of elderly people. Once under guardianship, clients are essentially powerless to do anything as attorneys, counselors, bankers, and others starting emptying their bank accounts.

Ring spent many hours looking into Luck’s problems, making countless phone calls and even driving from Houston to Fort Worth for visits. She also flew to Washington D.C. on her own dime to advocate. Luck still isn’t sure how Ring heard about her case.

“All of a sudden, like an angel, she was here,” Luck said. “She was championing [her cause] and trying to help everybody. She deserves a lot.”

Ring had read some of my previous stories and called one day to ask me to write about Luck. I was swamped with work and had already published several guardianship stories and wasn’t looking to do another anytime soon.

“We’re the Fort Worth Weekly, not the Guardianship Weekly,” I recall telling her.

Ring wouldn’t let me off the hook that easily. She kept calling, feeding me bits of information, trying to hook me. She never demanded anything, never got angry at me. She was smart, devoted to her cause, persistent, and easy to talk to. Eventually I could no longer refuse her.

I’m glad she stayed on me.

After the story on Luck was published, a probate judge removed the guardianship.

Ring mentioned her illness back then, but briefly. I’m not even sure what ailment she suffered from. She rarely discussed her problems, only those of Luck and others that she was trying to help. Ring spent most of her life helping others. She grew up in an orphanage in Morocco. Because she was older than most of the other children, she served as a de-facto caretaker.

It’s a role she never relinquished.

Family and friends will celebrate her life at 2 p.m. Saturday at Klein Funeral Home Chapel, 9719 Wortham Blvd., in Houston.

Source:
Guardianship Activist Latifa Ring Dead

Governor's veto strands indigent wards of state

By Barbara Peters Smith

At least 20 elder or disabled adults in Southwest Florida who have no money, no reliable family, a diminished ability to make their own decisions and nowhere to turn for support are among the Floridians feeling the sting of Gov. Rick Scott's record veto of $461.4 million in state funding last month.

Scott vetoed $750,000 in funding for public guardianships this year for indigent, incapacitated adults in Sarasota and Escambia counties. Lutheran Services Florida, a nonprofit agency that handles state-funded guardianships in these two counties, is now scrambling to serve 100 Sarasota County wards without pay, and has stopped taking any new cases.

"We know there's at least 20 on the waiting list," said Chris Card, chief operating officer for Lutheran Services. "We've had to lay off staff and reorganize our whole organization to support the public guardianships we have. It's not as robust a program as we want to offer them."

The moratorium means any elder unable to make decisions about where or how to live, and lacking enough money to live on, cannot be given protection by authorities unless attorneys and guardians take on the case for free. When wards placed in guardianships have enough assets to cover their expenses, those assets are used to pay the professionals who determine their fates. 

The agency has resorted to such a freeze before, because of shortfalls in donations during the Great Recession. During that two-year period, according to Sarasota guardianship director Anne Ridings, the total number of new adult guardianship cases in the 12th Judicial Circuit dropped by 25 percent.

(Continue Reading) 

Full Article & Source: 
Governor's veto strands indigent wards of state

Trial begins for former Philly judge accused of corruption

A lawyer for former Philadelphia Judge Willis W. Berry Jr. told a Common Pleas Court jury Monday that the criminal conflict-of-interest charges he faces were the result of retaliation by Berry's longtime secretary.

"There's no fury like a woman scorned," Nino V. Tinari told the jury in his opening statement.

Tinari said the state Attorney General's Office charged Berry only after his longtime secretary, Carolyn Fleming, went to the office after he fired her because she allegedly "siphoned $44,000" from his real estate business.

Berry, 72, is accused of using his judicial chambers and secretary, Fleming, to manage his private real estate business for much of his 16 years as a Common Pleas Court judge.

Prosecutors allege that Berry cheated Philadelphia taxpayers out of $110,000 using his judicial staff for his business.

That practice ended in 2007 with a judicial investigation of Berry following a series of Inquirer articles about how the judge moonlighted as a landlord and had court staff collect rent, repair 16 derelict properties, and handle real estate paperwork.

Berry was suspended without pay for four months in 2009 by the state's Court of Judicial Discipline on conflict-of-interest charges.

But Tinari, who is defending Berry with lawyer W. Fred Harrison Jr., blamed Fleming for Berry's problems and cast her actions as a betrayal of a man who hired her at 17, walked her down the aisle at her wedding, and named her in his will.

Tinari said that when Fleming followed Berry to the Criminal Justice Center in 1996 after his election, she got a "cushy" job where "if she worked four hours a day . . . that would be excessive."

Deputy Attorney General Daniel J. Dye said the evidence would prove that Berry conducted his personal business from chambers.

A first prosecution witness, Orlando Caquias, testified Monday that he usually dealt with Fleming, but twice talked with Berry in chambers about a Fairmount apartment he rented from the judge.
Dye told the jury of six men and six women that Berry's conduct was a theft of services he owed the taxpayers and conflict of interest.

"You're not here to run a property business, you're here to serve them," Dye added.

Despite Berry's 2009 suspension, no criminal charges were filed until May 2014, almost two years after he retired.

Berry's lawyers fought to get the charges thrown out, saying he was being prosecuted for an offense for which he had already been punished.

A month before the criminal charges were filed, the state Supreme Court suspended Berry's law license for a year and one day over an $180,000 civil fraud judgment in a lawsuit by a woman who said Berry fraudulently acquired title to a North Philadelphia property.

Berry considered a guilty-plea offer from state prosecutors, but rejected it after learning it could endanger the $6,010-a-month judicial pension he has drawn since he retired in September 2012.
Berry's trial is being held at the city's Criminal Justice Center - the same building where he served as judge - before Common Pleas Court Judge S. Gerald Corso, a senior judge from Montgomery County.

Full Article & Source:
Trial begins for former Philly judge accused of corruption

See Also:
Former Phila. Judge Willis W. Berry Jr. arrested on corruption charges

Ex-judge's lawyer questions corruption charges

Supreme Court suspends former Phila. judge's law license

Echo Press Editorial: How to stop elder abuse: Report red flags

It happens too often: An elderly person is financially preyed upon by a con artist, a relative or close friend.

But all the headlines that tell about such crimes should not make people numb to it. Instead, it should spark outrage and spur action and awareness. It starts with reporting any suspected financial abuse and exploitation of the elderly.

“Elder abuse comes in many forms, including physical maltreatment and neglect,” said Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman. “But financial exploitation is considered the most common form of elder abuse, costing victims at least $2.9 billion annually. With a growing senior population and the aging of the baby boom generation, it’s become a leading crime of opportunity in the 21st century.”

Rothman said that seniors have become a prime target for crooks because they control an estimated 70 percent of the nation’s wealth. Age-related factors such as illnesses and cognitive impairment can make many older adults especially vulnerable to financial crimes and scams.

The commerce department has stepped up its efforts to protect Minnesota seniors from financial fraud and abuse. But it can’t address this pressing problem on its own. It needs the public’s help in bringing cases of suspected elder abuse to light.

“While one of the best lines of defense is prevention through education, a continuing challenge is that elder financial abuse is a crime that often goes unreported,” said Rothman. “Greater public awareness is needed to identify these crimes early on and help victims before they lose their hard-earned life savings.”

Rothman highlighted some possible warning signs of financial abuse of older adults:

• Unusual financial transactions that are inconsistent with past behavior.

• Uncharacteristic attempts to wire large sums of money.

• Unusual inability to pay for routine services like utilities or insurance.

• Closing of CDs or financial accounts without regard to penalties or fees.

• Large or frequent financial withdrawals, including maximum cash withdrawals from ATMs.

• A sudden change in the management of the older adult’s finances.

Rothman said that when these red flags show up, it may be a sign that someone is being victimized and it should be reported.

Douglas County area residents can report suspected elder financial fraud to the Commerce Department at 1-800-657-3602.

Minnesotans can also report suspected elder abuse, such as physical maltreatment or neglect, to their county’s designated Common Entry Point. To find a county’s Common Entry Point, people can call the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433.

Full Article & Source: 
Echo Press Editorial: How to stop elder abuse: Report red flags

The Vegas Voice: On My Soapbox, by Rana Goodman: Turning Our Back on a Veteran

by Rana Goodman
Let me tell you about a veteran named Cazee Lewis. Cazee is in his 80s and has cataracts. Some time ago, the VA agreed to surgically remove the cataracts, but since he is under guardianship, arrangements must be made through the private-for-profit guardian in charge of his life.

Nothing can be done to him or for him without the guardian's approval. And according to a report from the Senior Law Project (the "guardian ad litem") the guardian does not feel he needs this surgery. I guess she believes she has medical credentials now! There is nothing that can be done about that - short of contesting the guardian in court.

I sat in court and heard Hearing Master ask the representative from Faith Shari why Cazee was being given a drug that was not protocol for dementia patients. The representative never denied that Cazee was being given the drugs just that he was getting them at bed time.

A long-time friend has been attempting, to replace his current guardian (April Parks - the same guardian named in our page 8 editorial) so that she can move him to her home. 

The friend has generously offered to care for him one-on-one rather than the situation he is currently in.

Each time she has attempted to visit Cazee, the staff at Faith Shari tells her he is not there.

On her last attempt, she was told that written permission would be needed from the Senior Law Project.

WHAT?! To visit a friend?

Full Article and Source:
The Vegas Voice July Issue

Judges' disciplinary hearing still months away

BLOOMINGTON — A year after they were accused of violating rules of judicial conduct, two McLean County judges remain months away from a public hearing on the allegations related to their personal relationship.

In a July 2014 complaint from the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board, judges Scott Drazewski and Rebecca Foley were accused of engaging in an undisclosed extramarital affair during the time Drazewski presided over a trial involving Foley's former husband, Joe Foley, a Bloomington lawyer.

Both judges have denied the allegations outlined in a 13-page complaint.

In their motion to dismiss the charges, Drazewski and Foley argued in September that the state lacks any evidence to prove that their relationship affected Drazewski's ability to be impartial in any cases he handled.

Foley contends that the accusations contain no facts that she, or any other judge aware of the relationship, were obliged to report Drazewski's alleged misconduct.

Judicial Inquiry Board lawyer John Gallo said Thursday that the state and attorneys for the judges have been engaged in the discovery process and that a hearing date could be set when lawyers discuss the case in September.

The detailed complaint outlines how the judges allegedly allowed their personal relationship to influence their judicial conduct and judgment. Drazewski was cited for his alleged failure to disqualify himself from the proceedings involving Foley's husband.

Foley's rule violation came after she did not initiate disciplinary measures against Drazewski when she became aware of his conduct, the complaint alleges.

It is not unusual for the complaint process to extend beyond a year with the state Judicial Inquiry Board. A confidential investigation precedes the filing of charges and is followed by a lengthy discovery process that allows each side to prepare for a public hearing before the state Courts Commission.

The Judicial Inquiry Board will serve as prosecutor at the hearing. Drazeweski and Foley each face potential sanctions of a reprimand, censure, suspension with or without pay, removal or retirement from office.

The judges, who are now divorced from their spouses, remain on the bench.

The filing of a formal complaint against a judge happens infrequently in Illinois. Between 1972 and 2014, a total of 89 complaints have been filed, including allegations against six judges in the 11th Judicial Circuit that includes McLean, Ford, Woodford, Logan and Livingston counties.  

Earlier this year, a state audit found that the Judicial Inquiry Board had a backlog of 311 pending complaints at the end of the 2014 fiscal year. Staff reductions left the agency struggling to deal with the more than 400 complaints forwarded to the board each year.  (Continue Reading)

Full Article & Source:
Judges' disciplinary hearing still months away

Caregiver accused of stealing $28K in jewelry from elderly patient

A home health care worker is accused of stealing her elderly patient's jewelry, worth $28,000, and pawning it, deputies said.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office arrested Barbara Royal, 32, on Tuesday.

According to an arrest report, Royal had just started work as an at-home health care worker for a Wellington woman for less than a week when the woman's daughter became suspicious of Royal.

She told deputies Royal started working with the family on July 9, and on July 15 the daughter decided to check around the house to see if anything was missing.

She discovered her mother's gold wedding band, a bracelet and a necklace were all missing. The jewelry is worth about $28,000, deputies said.

A search of the county's pawn shop database showed Royal had pawned the woman's ring on July 9. She received $190 for it, deputies said.

Royal is charged with grand theft, exploitation of an elderly person, dealing in stolen property and false verification of ownership.

Deputies said Royal also worked as a home heath care worker in other Palm Beach and Miami-Dade county homes and think she might have stolen from other people. They ask anyone who had Royal as a nurse and think they might be a victim to call Detective Krystal Gornall at 561-688-4043

She was released from the Palm Beach County Jail on Wednesday.

Full Article & Source:
Caregiver accused of stealing $28K in jewelry from elderly patient

The Passing of Texas Advocate Latifa Ring

Latifa Sefiane Ring 1955-2015

Latifa Sefiane Ring, 59, of Houston went home to be with her Lord, Sunday, July 19, 2015. She was born December 23, 1955 in Morocco.

She is preceded in death by her father Al Cocannouer. Latifa is survived by her loving husband of 35 years, Stephen Ring: two children, Richard Ring and wife Angelica; Lisa Ring and Companion Isela Ornelas: grandson, Jason Ring; mother, Marie Cocannouer: sisters, Lenita Persohn and husband Joe, Leysha Cocannouer; many nieces, nephews, and her beloved extended family from The Childrens Haven of Morocco.

 A celebration of Latifa's life will be 2:00 PM Saturday, July 25, 2015 at Klein Funeral Home Chapel at 9719 Wortham Blvd. Houston, TX 77065. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service Saturday.

Source:
Latifa Ring Obituary

Guardianship Abuse Spreads to Pennsylvania

by Michael Volpe

A knock on the door from a bureaucrat has led to nightmare lasting more than two years: leaving the family matriarch alone, isolated, and drugged, her daughter accused of theft, and her other daughter on the brink of being removed from the family home.

In January 2013, Tivia Olson a representative of Montgomery County Aging and Adult Services (MCAAS) showed up on the front door of Lillian Gibson’s home telling her that MCAAS had received a complaint that she was being financially exploited.

Several weeks later, Gibson, who was living in a home she shared with her daughter, Jocelyn “Austin” Gibson, received a letter from Montgomery County Orphan’s Court stating that the elder Gibson was suspected of being incapacitated and a hearing was scheduled to determine if she should be placed into guardianship, the case wound up in the court room of Judge Stanley Ott.

In late February 2013, Gibson hired Gerald Clark, an elder law lawyer, as her attorney but Ott barred Clark from representing her instead appointing Diane Zabowski as her counsel.

In April 2013, Ott ruled Gibson to be incapacitated and placed her in guardianship. Rather than appointing a family member guardian, Ott appointed Kalpana Doshi of Adjustments, Inc., as her guardian.

Kalpana, Zabowski, and MCAAS, didn’t respond to phone calls for comment. Judge Ott’s office has previously told Rebel Pundit that he, as a matter of policy, doesn’t comment on ongoing cases.

Ott made this determination after Robert Slutsky, a local attorney who was acting as the solicitor for MCAAS, accused Gibson’s daughter, Dr. Alvianette Gibson-Kennedy, of misspending $136,000 of her mother’s money, said she was malnourished and being fed a steady diet of junk, and also claimed she was totally incapacitated.

Slutsky, according to a lawsuit filed by the Gibson family, then introduced testimony from Gibson’s family’s long-time physician Gerald Hansen.

Slutsky asked Dr. Hansen, “Do you think Mrs. Gibson could be financially exploited?”

“Yes,” Dr. Hansen replied, though that reply could apply to every human.

Slutsky, an attorney, then listed off a series of ailments which he claimed Gibson suffered from as further evidence she needed to be incapacitated.

Both Alvianette and Austin Gibson denied misspending their mother’s funds and mistreating her in multiple court filings.

“Reverend Kennedy refuted the ‘alleged bank/accounting documentation as being inaccurate and unsubstantiated, that is to say, that no element of the banking documentation was certified either by a CPA or other credible source,” according to a lawsuit filed by the family.

Though Slutsky accused Dr. Kennedy of major theft, his accusation was made strictly in orphan’s court and this evidence has never been presented to the county’s district attorney’s office.

In a previous Rebel Pundit expose from Chicago, the Cook County Public Guardian similarly accused Stacey Willis of theft of more than $30,000 of her mother’s money, but only made that charge during guardianship and didn’t report it criminally.

Initially while in guardianship, Lillian Gibson was allowed to continue to living in the family home she shared with her daughter Austin but in April, after the guardian complained that the elder Gibson missed repeated doctor’s appointments, Gibson was moved to a nursing home, Spring Meadows in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

But Austin Gibson said this is not accurate.

“It was me who missed the appointments not my mother,” she said, something she made note of to several of the players in guardianship.

Full Article & Source:
Guardianship Abuse Spreads to Pennsylvania

See Also:
Guardianship Abuse Spreads to Pennsylvania Part 2

Guardianship Abuse Spreads to Pennsylvania

Boomers Beware of Guardianship Abuse

Harvey Whitten, Pennsylvania Victim