It’s amazing in how many news stories are about estate abuse and probate corruption while others have interesting ties or illustrate patterns of behavior.
California Attorney General Jerry Brown says actor Corey Haim’s death was linked to a “massive illegal prescription drug ring.” Having confirmed his run for governor (again), Brown is in campaign mode and the pursuit of crime fighting in cases like the death of Anna Nicole Smith, Michael Jackson and now Haim presents high visibility opportunities designed to generate good “protecting the public” stump rhetoric in the upcoming race. Meanwhile, The San Bernardino County Sentinel’s reporting on efforts to bury any real investigation of probate irregularities perpetrated by the legal industry and creating much harm in the lives of unsuspecting California families is a reminder of another “law and order” issue that AG (and candidate) Brown and other politicians will keep off the campaign trail.
Estate abuse and probate corruption are open secrets which most politicians are happy to keep. People must understand that being “too busy” to bother with things like voting or having knowledge of the political process or their elected officials opens the door to this type heinous activity. Government is best when operating in a limited capacity and under the watchful eye of the governed.
In other legal industry news, we’ve got a few LOOT (Lawyers Operating to Optimize their Take) stories. First, a New York judge has postponed a ruling on a WTC first-responders’ health settlement pending review of what lawyers will make out of the deal. Not surprisingly, the lawyers are in an uproar.
In Florida, BrowardBulldog.org is reporting on Florida’s latest legal industry jobs stimulus program, also known as the Rothstein case. A judge has been asked to authorize nearly $2.2 million in fees for less than three months work.
The guardian of the estate of the late Max Farash is continuing litigation against various Farash family members. The guardian tried several years ago to sell a piece of the family’s property designated for Farash’s only child in what appeared to be an unnecessary, heavy-handed maneuver. Along the way, he and others involved benefited from billable hours generated by the dispute this land sale contrived – a trend that appears continuing today.
And though not a lawyer, former Niagara County Treasurer David S. Broderick has been seriously criticized in an audit of estates he handled. A report released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli indicates that Broderick used his position as public administrator of estates to benefit friends and family.
The lack of respect for people and their property is mind-boggling. Click here to read about another elder abuse case. This one is out of New Mexico and involves two women indicted on charges of Medicaid fraud and elder abuse and neglect. It seems they were happy to steal from both an elderly victim and taxpayers.
EoD is often asked how to avoid these situations. Unfortunately, you can’t. Real reform involving estate abuse perpetrators (including lawyers, judges, public officials) being treated as the criminals they are would be a good start. For the time being, we hope to at least give you a fighting chance in recognizing the threats that are out there.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Estate of Denial® provides news, analysis and commentary on abusive practices occurring in probate courts and via probate instruments (wills, trusts, guardianships, powers of attorney). We provide original perspective to educate the public regarding this growing threat to both individual freedoms and property rights.
