In case you missed it, Channel 15 ABC news launched an investigation into elder care and the Sun Valley Group. In May, the following was released. Sun Valley Group, once again, is cited as the exploiter and abuser.
Guardianship in Arizona: Elder care or elder abuse?
- By: Maria Tomasch
PHOENIX – Many people move to Arizona for the weather and recreation because it’s considered a haven for retirees who want to live out their golden years. But something else is happening here – something haunting.
For Clair’s mom, Gloria Horrigan, it was a nightmare.
Clair said her mother was taken to a nursing home against her will and not allowed visitors, not even family.
“It’s sickening…It really truly is sickening,” said Clair.
It was a struggle for Robert Brown to bring his wife, Rosemary, home.
She was also taken and within a matter of weeks, the family wasn’t allowed to see her either.
What happened in both cases started in a Maricopa County Courtroom – right in front of a judge.
Both Rosemary and Gloria had health issues that made it hard on their families.
Families can’t force a loved one to get help, but a guardian can.
That’s why their cases ended up in probate court, which hears issues on care for vulnerable adults.
The court approved a guardian in both cases. And both times, the guardian was Sun Valley Group of Tempe.
Their website states they offer “support for client’s physical, social, emotional and mental health.”
As part of their service, Sun Valley Group also took care of Gloria’s personal finances.
But Clair said her mom did not get proper medical treatment and her bills weren’t paid. Gloria’s house went into foreclosure.
“I’m physically sick from seeing what they’ve done to my mother. My family, my children, everyone has been affected by this,” said Clair.
Rosemary had a similar story. She was depressed and refused medical care.
Her husband Robert needed help, so he said he agreed to let Sun Valley Group take Rosemary when they promised to make sure she got treatment.
But Robert said under the company’s care, she never did, so now family friend and doctor, Marge Butler, is Rosemary’s guardian.
“The bills were now coming at a ferried pace,” said Marge.
In total, Marge said the family spent over a $100,000. That was for just four months of Sun Valley Group’s care.
It ended when the nursing home thought Rosemary was dying. They finally allowed the family to see her.
As for Gloria, Clair said the company seemed much more interested in her mom’s money than her health.
Gloria’s final bill was just under $500,000 and included charges for an employee to open her mail at $75 an hour.
“They are supposed to be her guardian and are supposed to be like her parents and look out for her best interests,” said Clair.
After repeatedly being turned down for an on camera interview, The ABC15 Investigators went to Sun Valley Group’s office.
They asked us to leave.
We then caught up with the owner of Sun Valley, Peter Frenette, at a county courthouse.
He was leaving a probate hearing involving fees from a different case. Even after several questions, Frenette would not comment.
The ABC15 Investigators have found more issues plaguing Sun Valley Group.
Frenette’s wife, Heather, is co-owner, but she is being investigated by the Arizona nursing board.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Organized Crime Unit is also investigating Sun Valley Group.
By state law, both investigations are secret.
We also discovered three multi-million dollar lawsuits filed this year against the company for fraud and racketeering.
Grant Goodman is the attorney for three former Sun Valley Group clients.
“It’s more of a criminal enterprise,” said Goodman, “They need to be prosecuted.”
He claimed to find a pattern with these cases.
“They effectively medicate them to such an extent that they really are non-functional,” said Goodman, “And they do that while they’re liquidating their assets.”
The three lawsuits also blame probate court.
“The mob isn’t this efficient, nor does the mob have the luxury of having a court rubberstamp these proceedings,” said Goodman.
Goodman is not the only one who thinks that way.
Last month, the Arizona Supreme Court issued an Administrative Order to investigate probate court. One of the issues is regulating fees.
Now, Rosemary is back with her family and doing well. She is getting the treatment that she needs.
“We just plan to enjoy life,” said Robert.
Sun Valley Group filed motions to dismiss with the three lawsuits shown in this investigation.
Neither Gloria nor Rosemary has filed a lawsuit.
http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/guardianship-in-arizona%3A-elder-care-or-elder-abuse%3F-
Reading this story reminds us all of why SVG is going out of business! Unfortunately, the line of new fiduciaries waiting to take their place is long. Until the legislature stands up to the courts and the attorneys by passing real reform minded laws, this circus will never end. Hopefully the bill introduced this year will do something besides be a band-aid. HB2424 needs to keep the teeth in it and take a bite out of this criminal enterprise called probate.
The judges are allowing this abuse to continue. Gloria Horrigan had her personal directives established stating who she wanted to care for her if and when she needed help. She had chosen Clair whom she trusted and has a close relationship with. Her directives were ignored by the judges.
When Clair asked to see her mom for Christmas, she was told by judge Myers that she could see her for 1 1/2 hours! This is outrageous! To keep families apart is more than criminal. Who do these people think they are? They are violating the people they are supposed to be protecting and breaking the laws themselves with no accountability!
Why is the Supreme Court allowing this to go on? There are many questions to be answered.
This is a disgrace to our state!!! Family is the most important thing we have.
Get Gloria home with her family where she wants and needs to be!
my name alma hare. iam going through the same thing with my grandmother .who was avictim of organize crime by family members.then put her in the nurseing home and sold her hold estate and had me abboned from nurseing home. because i was fighting for her civil rights. i need help locating a lawer in dallas. alma hare my phone 214-524-3780 or 214-916-7315 please help