Linda Kincaid Reports: Elder abuse by Monterey County Public Guardian: Evidence suppressed

San Francisco resident Margarita Zelada had an accidental fall while visiting her daughter in Pacific Grove, California. The Monterey County Public Guardian used the accident to seize control of Margarita and unlawfully isolate her from loved ones.

On November 11, 2013, this Examiner sent the following email to Senior Deputy Public Guardian Teri Scarlett.

Ms. Scarlett, 

Improperly suppressed evidence requires your immediate attention. A report with additional information will be released later in the week. 

Monterey County Deputy Public Guardian Jennifer Empasis alleged that Patricia Conklin financially abused her mother, Margarita Zelada. Ms. Zelada clearly stated that Ms. Conklin did not abuse her in any way. After months of investigation, Ms. Empasis did not identify any financial abuse. However, Ms. Empasis refused to terminate the conservatorship of Ms. Zelada’s estate. 

Please see December 13, 2012 video of Ms. Zelada on YouTube.
http://youtu.be/RoPe8hkNGFA 

Ms. Empasis escalated her allegations to include physical abuse after Ms. Zelada experienced an accidental fall on March 1, 2013. The attached March 29, 2013 letter from Ms. Zelada’s court appointed attorney Chris Campbell states: 

My client is adamant that she does not hold her daughter responsible for this injury and that she has no desire to see her daughter prosecuted. She has been clear about this ever since I first saw her in the hospital one day after the injury. My client and her daughter have an extraordinarily close relationship, and they have lived together for many years; Patricia is Mrs. Zelada’s only child, and Mrs. Zelada has no other family in this country. There is no one in the world more important to Mrs. Zelada than her daughter, and the fact that Mrs. Zelada has been unable to see Patricia since she was taken into custody has been a devastating blow to her.

The above video and letter were not presented at Ms. Zelada’s general conservatorship hearing, nor were they presented at Ms. Conklin’s criminal trial. It is my understanding that additional similar videos exist on personal electronics that Ms. Empasis removed from Ms. Conklin’s home on March 25, 2013. Those items have not been returned to Ms. Conklin.

Please forward this evidence to the District Attorney for immediate review. Please file a petition to terminate the conservatorship of Margarita Zelada no later than Friday, November 15, 2013.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Linda Kincaid, MPH

Full Article and Source:
Elder abuse by Monterey County Public Guardian: Evidence suppressed

Linda Kincaid Reports: Margarita Zelada: Timeline of elder abuse by Monterey County Public Guardian

Deputy Public Guardian Jennifer Empasis pursued a campaign of false allegations and abuse of power to control the assets of Peruvian immigrant Margarita Zelada. Her estate is valued at around $1.5M.

Margarita is a victim of false imprisonment at long-term care facility Senior Paradise in Del Rey Oaks, California. Administrator Margaret Camara willingly executes unlawful orders from Empasis.

Margarita’s three bedroom home in San Francisco’s desirable Outer Sunset neighborhood sits vacant. Empasis changed the locks to prevent family entering the home. Patricia’s 2001 Mercedes, a gift from Margarita, is now in Empasis’ control.

In July 2012, Empasis alleged that Patricia financially abused her mother. Margarita repeatedly insisted Patricia did nothing improper. Patricia provided a full accounting of expenditures. No charges were filed.

In September 2012, Empasis seized control of all assets belonging to Margarita and Patricia. Mother and daughter were left unable to meet their financial obligations. Both experienced severe financial hardship.

On October 5, 2012, the court awarded temporary conservatorship of Margarita’s estate to the Public Guardian.

On December 13, 2012, Margarita recorded a video stating that Patricia did not abuse her in any way. Margarita was emphatic that she did not want the Public Guardian involved in her affairs. (See video above at left.)

Full Article and Source:
Margarita Zelada: Timeline of elder abuse by Monterey County Public Guardian

See Also:
Linda Kincaid Reports: Elder Abuse by Monterey County Public Guardian: Home Vacant, Daughter Homeless

CA Conservatorship Ward Margarita Zelada on the Monterey County Public Guardian

NASGA:  Margarita Zelada, California Victim

GA Woman Convicted of Elder Abuse

Former Cedar Grove Middle School secretary Bobbie Neil Ward is facing decades in prison after a DeKalb jury found her guilty of 21 of 25 counts of wide-ranging crimes against disabled and elderly victims on Jan. 16.

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 25.

Ward was on trial on a 25-count indictment of abuse and exploitation of disabled adults, identity fraud, forgery, false imprisonment, and neglect and exploitation of an elderly person.

A grand jury said she committed the crimes between August 2006 and November 2011 when she claimed to own a home health care service but instead fraudulently used bank accounts, pensions and Social Security numbers of her clients.

During her trial, which began on Jan. 7, DeKalb Superior Court Judge Tangela Barrie severed two of the counts – one count for aggravated assault and one count for disabled adult abuse – from the indictment.

Ward will face those charges at a later date.

DeKalb District Attorney Robert James applauded the guilty verdict and said justice was served.

Full Article and Source;
Woman Convicted of Elder Abuse