The Guardians, according to the film's co-producer Billie Mintz, exposes corruption in Las Vegas municipal government and its
involvement in the kidnapping of elderly people under the color of law
in order to steal their estate.
Click here for additional information and to review the trailer.
Rick Black, Director of the Center for Estate Administration Reform (CEAR), is prominently featured in the film. He is conducting a major investigation on guardianship fraud in New York State and submitted the following statement, which is directed at Governor Andrew Cuomo, members of the New York State Senate and Assembly, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Council.
"If
you read New York law you would be convinced the adult guardianship
system and the court’s that order them are professionally managed and
maintained to best serve the public. It talks about guardianship being
used as a last resort to protect the vulnerable and that ALL other least
restrictive options will be considered before a person’s rights are
removed. Local governmental courts are charged to insure the rights of
the alleged incapacitated adults brought before them are protected and
their assets are conserved for their care. New York guardianship law
upholds family priority and honor estate documents. Yet, too often
notice to family is not made, orders are executed ex parte, estate
documents are dismissed, and the objections of the victim, family or
heirs are all denied. Guardianship has become an entitlement for the
legal community to financially exploit the vulnerable in New York. Many
of New York’s courts are running guardianship mills for the benefit of
fellow members of the New York Bar. Its victims have no redress.
"The
National Center for State Courts estimated in 2015 that 1.3 million
American adults were under guardianship and about 176,000 were added
that year. A review of New York statistics would indicate over 60,000
New Yorkers are under guardianship today and over 10,000 were added to
the roles in 2016. Using U.S. Federal Reserve and Bloomberg statistics
those individuals would represent a total asset inventory of over $10
billion. Contrary to most claims of the legal and professional
guardianship community, guardianship is not for the destitute. In fact,
they focus on those with income and assets as the attorneys and most of
the system is compensated from the estates of those they conscript. Guardianship is the ultimate conflict of interest for the legal
community and represents one of the biggest markets in the state of New
York. Hospitals, skilled and assisted living facilities, care
companies, guardianship companies, and the legal community all benefit
from the largess and power the system provides.
"My
greatest disappointment in New York is enlightened system insiders have
been unsuccessful in reforming the system. The New York attorney
general’s office and local law enforcement refuse to investigate
complaints of documented abuses by those sponsored by these courts. Legal and judicial community insiders have successfully blocked
meaningful reforms while they continue to market to the public that the
system is well managed and fully protects the vulnerable. A 2012 study by Cardoza Law would contradict any assurance of protections
for those conscripted into the New York system. All too often these
courts routinely deny established rules of civil procedure, rules of
evidence, and state and federal law in their rulings and insure almost
no downstream oversight. Those under guardianship are guaranteed NO
protections as all outsiders and law enforcement are unilaterally
referred back to the judge and the court who initially sponsored the
exploitation.
"According to
Metropolitan Life, nearly $100 billion passes from generation to generation each year in
New York and the number will grow to $165 billion by 2030. Probate,
trust, and adult guardianship fraud are among the easiest frauds to
commit today to intercept the funds of the deceased and vulnerable and
redirect them into the pockets of the predatory legal community and
their allies. Education, awareness, and being prepared is the only real
defense for New Yorkers today."
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