Dear Mr. Bahrawy;

My blog and most of the focus on what we do is not elder abuse from individual members of the public, but on the professionals that prey on the elderly–probate attorneys, professional GAL’s, tied in service providers that bill but are not needed but do not perform, guardianships by non relatives that deplete the estate and are not wanted by the alleged ward, guardianships without jurisdiction–no summons or complaint to the alleged ward and family.

These situations cause millions of dollars to fall off inventories and accountings.

Further, the “symptoms” you report are common in nursing homes where wards are placed against their will and homes are sold–are de regiueur in for profit nursing homes in Illinois.

The problem isn’t so much an individual spouse that is elderly that neglects, or a child that neglects to ensure safety, food, medicine, etc. for aging mom and dad, but it’s mostly our own probate system, I have found that causes the problem, and since it’s “professionals” that are involved they know how to take the money and run and cover their tracks.

Sykes–$1 million missing in gold coins, no jurisdiction, no summons or complaint, advance directives ignored by tied in court; Wyman– husband wanted to get rid of wife and concocted a deal with probate attorney Sharon Rudy to place mom in worst nursing home in Rockford where she was beaten and sexually abused near daily and the court granted guardianship without jurisdiction first–summons and complaint (read his book), Fracke – placed in nursing home against his will, millions in real estate not rented out for 2 years by professional guardian, hip problems not investigated by guardian after constant complaints by him and family, court ignores (to be published today on my blog), Alice Gore had 29 gold onlays mined from her after she was isolated first from 20 friends and family for 10 months, Alice Gore took “too long to eat” in nursing home so they put in feeding tube, etc., etc. the list goes on (see my blog).

Those are the most disgraceful, insulting cases there are and authorities refuse to investigate, no action is taken against the actors, except for the embarrassment from my blog.

The few cases the public sees–a spouse that is elderly, a child that is neglectful of his or her duties–those are rare and not much of a problem compared to many, many cases my blog and supporters see each and every day.  NASGA and Probate Sharks blogs and my blog currently work together in this fight to publish and expose, publish and expose because the authorities do NOTHING.  Our own ARDC or Atty Discipline Commission does nothing at best, and at worst goes after any attorney that exposes the corruption.

The media won’t publish because they are threatened with lawsuits from powerful judges and attorneys.

The only attorneys I know that will speak out against the corruption are myself, Ken Ditkowsky (suspended for 4 years for telling the truth about Sykes), Mr. Amu (suspended for 3 years for telling the truth about the Law Division judges) Tom Gearhart and myself who is awaiting my discipline from the ARDC for telling the truth about Sykes and other horrendous cases such as Gore, Bedin, Spera, Wyman, Sykes, Drabik, Tyler–all horrendous, unresolved and uninvestigated cases.

thank you for listening.

may I publish your original email on my blog?

thanks

joanne

—–Original Message—–
From: Ramsey Bahrawy
Sent: Oct 18, 2014 9:19 AM
To: Alyece Russell
Cc: ginny johnson , Glenda Martinez , rudy bush , LFE Siwo , Linda Kincaid , Barbara Stone , Bev Cooper , David Cox , JoAnne M Denison , “ken@ditkowskylawoffice.com” , kev@cbsnew.com, Danielle Jesserer , Elaine Renoire , Marti Oakley , Sylvia Rudek , Bennett Blum , Joe Roubicek , Randy Thomas , “Wilson, Diane L.” , kit fay , feb3al@aol.com, Wes Bledsoe , carolberry2013@gmail.com, Mary Forman , Bill Campbell , Curt Baggett , peisler@usatoday.com, Gerald Neuman , Nancy Vallone , Maria Adams , hadrian , joe bonturi , johndubose51 , Lisa Bokesch , Lindsey LaRocque , JOHN RUSSELL , Jim5229@aol.com, J B Simms , doraiola , jody kennington , melbashealy , bonnie haag , bill@lawlessamerica.com, Sam Sugar , SUNTIMES , Human Rights Watch , “ElderAngels, Inc.”
Subject: Re: Read last line…to all of us who tried to report our story of – Abuse, Neglect, Financial Exploitation

Excellent information. However it is important to remember 2 important facts 1. most elder abuse is perpetrated by someone the elder knows and trusts, and 2. financial institutions are potentially on the front line when it comes to reporting suspected elder financial exploitation . Yet, unfortunately. many  financial institutions fail to recognize both their liability in failing to report suspected financial exploitation and their customer service responsibility to report suspected elder financial exploitation.

I believe it is going to take a mega lawsuit to get financial institutions to recognize that it is in their  interests to report elder financial exploitation.

Ramsey Bahrayw, Esq

On Sat, Oct 18, 2014 at 7:31 AM, Alyece Russell <llessura@gmail.com> wrote:

Three Indisputable Facts about Elder Abuse:

Other than the victim’s age, elder abuse is a CRIME which is indiscriminate in choosing who it strikes,  Factors such as one’s socio-economic status, gender, race, ethicity, educational background and geographic location do not provide an impregnable barrier against its broad, horrible reach.

Elder abuse victims often live in silent desperation, unwillinging to seek assistance because they

unfortunately believe their cries for help will go unanswered and they fear retaliation from their abusers.  Many remain silent to protect abusive family members from the legal consequences of their crimes or are too embarrassed to admit that they have fallen victim to predators.  Others fear that no one will believe them – chalking up their allegations to the effects of old age.

Thus, it may take the courage of a caring family member, friend or caretaker to take action when the victim may be reluctant.

With your vigilance, care and cooperation, elder abuse can be stopped and its perpetrators arrested and prosecuted.  In the past four years alone, social service and law enforcement resources have expanded dramatically to meet the growing need.  Help is available.

REMEMBER:  If you suspect abuse, report it!

BEHAVORIAL WARNING SIGNS:

Withdrawn

Confused or extremely forgetful

Depressed

Helpless or angry

Hesitant to talk freely

Frightened

Secretive

ISOLATION WARNING SIGN

Isolation of an elder is an insidious tool used by many abusers.  Accomplished with the systematic exclusion of all real outside contact, the elder victim is eventually driven to distrust

friends, doctors and even close family members.  Ultimately, the elder victim becomes a pawn –

manipulated into trusting only the abuser.

Family members or caregivers have isolated the elder, restricting the elder’s contact with others, including family, visitors, doctors, clergy or friends.

Elder is not given the opportunity to speak freely or have contact with others without the caregiver being present.

WHAT IS PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL ELDER ABUSE?

PHYSICAL ABUSE INCLUDES:

Physical assault

Sexual assault

Unreasonable physical constraint

Prolonged deprivation of food or water

Inappropriate use of a physical or chemical restraint of psychotropic medication

NEGLECT includes:

Failure to assist in personal hygiene

Failure to provide clothing and shelter

Failure to provide medical care

Failure to protect from health and safety hazards

Failure to prevent malnutrition or dehydration

Self neglect

EMOTIONAL ABUSE INCLUDES:

Verbal assaults, threats  or intimidation

Subjecting an individual to fear, ISOLATION or serious emotional distress

Withholding of emotional support

Confinement

RECOGNIZING THE WARNING SIGNS

The existence of any ones or more of these does not necessary mean that abuse has occurred.

Instead, treat them as signs that diligent attention or investigation is needed.

Uncombed or matted hair

Unkempt or dirty

Poor skin condition or hygiene

Patches of hair missing or bleeding scalp

Any untreated medical condition

Malnourished or dehydrated

Foul Smelling

Torn or bloody clothing or undergarments

Scratches, blister, lacerations or pinch marks

Unexplained bruises or welts

Burns caused by scalding water, cigarettes or ropes

Injuries that are incompatible with explanations

Any injuries that reflect an outline of an object, for example, a belt, cord or hand

REPORTING ELDER ABUSE:

Any person who suspects that abuse of an elder has occurred should report it.  When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and report.

Abuse can continue and often ESCALATES it there is NO INTERVENTION.  Known or suspected

cases of abuse should be reported to the appropriate agencies or to local law enforcement.

I tried my hardest.   All I heard this is a family matter (law enforcement, this is a sister vs. sister (my first attorney)….

Intervention can often save the assets, health, dignity or even the LIFE of an elder.

HOW TO REPORT ELDER ABUSE:

If a known or suspected incident of elder abuse has occurred in a long-term care facility, the report should be made to the Long-Term Care Ombundsman, the local law enforcement agency or the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse.

If abuse has occurred anywhere other than in a facility, reports should be made to the local county Adult Protective Services agency or to the local law enforcement agency.

The reporting person is protected from both criminal and civil liability.

—

Ramsey A. Bahrawy, Esq.
BAHRAWY LAW OFFICES
“Building Your Trust”
55 Main Street, PO Box 455
North Andover, MA 01845
(978) 682-1141
http://www.BahrawyLaw.com
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