Dedicated to
ENNID ZAMBONI STERNOFF

Updated March 8, 2009

We did it! News coverage of our press conference Los Angeles TV News Nov 12, 2008 Original Footage (Note the extreme alteration in the broadcast version) CBS News Version   Recently Added Videos:   Dr. Moire speaks to the Elders Dr. Moire's Testimony to the California Conservatorship Task Force November 26, 2006

 

PRESS CONFERENCE Dedicated to ENNID ZAMBONI STERNOFF WHERE:      Entrance of the Los Angeles County Superior Court at 110 North Grand Avenue WHEN:       Wednesday November 12, 2008 @ 1:00 p.m. CONTACT:      Robert E. Canny, Esq. 5042 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 885 Los Angeles, CA, 90036 Main: 213-401-3996 Fax: 213-401-3998 Email: info@protectingourelders.org Ennid Zamboni Sternoff died in 2004 of horrors such as starvation, poisoning, and the deliberate withholding of life-preserving, doctor-recommended medical care.   Loyal members of her family vainly sought intervention from law enforcement and the legal community. Deputy Attorney General Ed Skelly has promised to conduct an investigation into the death and physical and financial abuse of Ennid Zamboni Sternoff. Family members represented by Los Angeles Attorney Robert E. Canny have made a formal request to the Attorney General's Office to make good on its offer to investigate the physical abuse of Ennid through an expedited exhumation and medical examiner's evaluation of the case.   Family members want the forensic examination to be audited by a medical examiner team of their choice. Dr. Laura Moiré MD, FACEP, FAAEM, is spearheading the investigation. She is an Emergency Physician, Chair Elect of the Geriatric Section of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and has testified before the California Judicial Council's Special Task Force on Conservatorships. Dr. Laura Moiré will be available with the plaintiff family's attorney, Robert E. Canny to answer questions from the press or interested organizations this Wednesday.   :: Join Us for a Vigil :: Bring pictures, momentos, of your elders who have been affected.. We will put them on the steps of the court house itself. Bring candles and flowers. Stand with us to help change this situation and ... Protect Our Elders!

Contact :: info@protectingourelders.org 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 8, 2008 CONTACT: Robert E. Canny, Esq. 213-401-3996 PREDATORS USE ELDER ESTATE INDUSTRY TO EXPLOIT  VULNERABLE SENIORS Current California legislation that has been intended to tighten the Court system in regards to the Elder Estate Industry lacks enforcement and creates opportunities for those who feed off the most vulnerable in our society. According to a report from the California Attorney General’s office, the trust services of at least four major banks appear to have been routinely misused and abused to defraud the estate of prominent senior Ennid Zamboni Sternoff.    Mrs. Sternoff was a member of the famous Zamboni family, inventors of the Ice Skating Rink Cleaning Machine and heiress of the Sternoff metals conglomerate fortune. Laura Moiré MD, FACEP, FAAEM, who spearheaded the investigation, is an Emergency Physician, Chair Elect of the Geriatric Section of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and has testified before the California Judicial Council's Special Task Force on Conservatorships. Dr. Laura Moiré will be available with the plaintiff family's attorney, Robert E. Canny to answer questions from the press or interested organizations at: PRESS CONFERENCE Entrance of the Los Angeles County Superior Court at 110 North Grand Avenue at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday November 12, 2008 Contact: Law Offices of Robert E. Canny 5042 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 885 Los Angeles, CA, 90036 Main: 213-401-3996 Fax: 213-401-3998 Email: www.protectingourelders.org

Family demands death investigation/ exhumation to prove murder! Laura Moiré MD, FACEP, FAAEM, who spearheaded the investigation, is an Emergency Physician, Chair Elect of the Geriatric Section of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and has testified before the California Judicial Council's Special Task Force on Conservatorships. Dr. Laura Moiré will be available with the plaintiff family's attorney, Robert E. Canny to answer questions from the press or interested organizations at: PRESS CONFERENCE Entrance of the Los Angeles County Superior Court at 110 North Grand Avenue at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday November 12, 2008 Contact: Law Offices of Robert E. Canny 5042 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 885 Los Angeles, CA, 90036 Main: 213-401-3996 Fax: 213-401-3998 Email: www.protectingourelders.org

"Good luck to all of you in your attempt to pull Frumeh Labow into the light of day. When I was working on restructuring my book (THE RETIREMENT NIGHTMARE, Prometheus Books, 2000), my agent insisted that I not call conservatorship law "cockroach law." Too bad. The players in this drama of court-sanctioned elder abuse scuttle about like cockroaches, hoping to complete their destructive tasks in the dark, without notice. Frumeh Labow attended my mother's first court hearing in October of 1992, assuming she would be appointed her conservator. It was a close call, yet involved 18 months of litigation and over $1 million is costs to my mother to have the case "settled" out of court. I wish you success! The system is utterly corrupt." Sincerely, Diane Granholm Armstrong Santa Barbara/Princeville www.retirementnightmare.com

Thank you for your efforts to address the wrong done to Mrs. Zamboni and to expose this 21st century version of organized crime committed by the "Barfia." I agree with Dr. Armstrong that "cockroach law" is descriptive of the behaviors of guardians who scurry through halls shrouded in darkness to commit their crimes as quickly and silently as possible. "Maggot law" would work also as it describes those who feast happily on the injured and dying. But what do you call the judges and commissioners who occupy brightly lit public, courtrooms - and who, within those "hallowed" halls support and encourage the theft of our most vulnerable citizens by guardians and their superfluous attorneys, who ignore the intent of the laws as well as the laws themselves, who punish those who expect better, and who reign without restraint over a lawless, immoral domain - (a judicially created and sustained domain)? What do you call their colleagues and presiding judges who know what is happening and do nothing? What do you call the commissions that pretend to monitor attorney and judicial behavior and offer only laughable excuses to those who submit complaints? How can it be that our elderly are more at risk in the courtrooms supported by their hard earned dollars than they are in thug infested dark alleys? Most thugs would give a pass to a wheelchair bound victim - but not our courts. The commissioner in WA State who encouraged and supported the theft of my elderly mother, recently spoke at a legal seminar. His topic: "Complex Legal Ethics!" I complained to every name on the list - with nary a response. -- Sharon Denney Seattle, WA www.guardianshipscam.com

VOTERS: Contact your newly elected officials and find out their stance and record on enforcing protections for Seniors from the predators of the Elder Estate Industry. Long-lived persons have every right and deserve special protections under the law to live out their lives in comfort and enjoyment of their blessings.

Links to Dr Laura Moire, MD Dr. Laura Moire http://www.finddoctors.org/dr-laura-moire.htm Find a doctor in Mountain View, HI - Laura Moire MD https://www.zebrahealth.com/physician-Laura++Moire-596764.aspx Geriatric Emergency Medicine http://www.acep.org/acepmembership.aspx?id=25112 Emergency Medicine ( HI ) http://www.trialscentral.org/emergencymedicine- hawaii-mountainview-sp-5-5368.htm Protecting Our Elders "In the News" GlobeNewswire, Inc. NewsBlaze MarketWatch MSNBC Wire Services - msnbc.com Netscape Yahoo! Finance Links to Dr Laura Moire, MD Women's Health Month - Video of a talk by Dr Moire http://www.planetpuna.com/Health%20Month/index.htm Find a doctor in Mountain View, HI - Laura Moire MD Geriatric Emergency MedicineEmergency Medicine ( HI )

FACT SHEET *       The nationally recognized and award winning November 2005 LA Time investigative series, "Guardians for Profit", examined the work of California's professional conservators, reviewing more than 2,400 cases, including every one they handled in Southern California between 1997 and 2003. *         "They [Conservators] look for people with money. Frumeh Labow, Los Angeles' busiest conservator, sets a minimum of $300,000, enough to guarantee her paycheck for at least a few years, if the client lives that long." - November 2005 LA Times investigative series, "Guardians for Profit" *         Labow was quoted in this series as stating: "I can decide who they see.   I can put them in a nursing home."   "It's the biggest imposition on your civil liberties short of being imprisoned." *         Labow was described as the "Bank of America" for estate attorneys who command fees of up to $600-800/áhr while depleting seniors' savings intended for care and grandchildren's education.   The Probate court is fueled by power lunches and funding of political aspirations and judgeships, according to Moire, who listened in to this description in her attempts to save Zamboni's life while still alive.   She was told that Zamboni's life might be saved if she could come up with $50,000 instead of the $15,000 earlier quoted. *        LAPD's Internal Affair's Department found no misbehavior within the department for such actions, ranging from: failing to respond to stolen property reports, following directives of one of the involved banks; failing to act and intervene to protect Ennid Zamboni Sternoff on evidence and complaints of physical and financial Elder Abuse, when she was still alive and even after her death. *       Loyal Family members want their right to pursue the allegations of Wrongful Death, possible Murder and Felony Fraud by Jury Trial.   They want an expedited Exhumation Order.           The next hurdle in California Elder Protection and Safety may lie with the remains and medical records of a 90 year old, along with the California Supreme Court to decide if justice will be served. Contact:  Law Offices of Robert E. Canny 5042 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 885 Los Angeles, CA, 90036 Main: 213-401-3996 Fax: 213-401-3998 Email: info@protectingourelders.org

Please send us your experiences and we will post them here Email: www.protectingourelders.org

Contact the Governor's Office and ask that Ennid's case be referred to the Attorney General for investigation and prosecution Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-2841 Fax: 916-445-4633 mail: http://www.govmail.ca.gov Edmund G. Brown Jr. Attorney General's Office California Department of Justice Attn: Public Inquiry Unit P.O. Box 944255 Sacramento, CA 94244-2550 1-800-952-5225 FAX (916) 323-5341 LOCAL PROSECUTORS: Mike Gargiulo Lead District Attorney Elder Abuse Unit 213-580-3383 Steve Cooley Los Angeles District Attorney County of Los Angeles 210 West Temple Street, Suite 18000 Los Angeles, CA 90012-3210 Telephone (213) 974-3512 Fax (213) 974-1484 (8:30am - 5:00pm M-F) _________________________________________________________________ Elder abuse is the intentional or unintentional hurting, either physical or emotional, of a person who is age sixty or older. If you are an elder who is being abused, neglected, or exploited, tell at least one person. Tell your doctor, a friend, or a family member whom you trust. Other people care and can help you. Call your local emergency number: 911 Go to or call your local hospital emergency room. Elder abuse usually occurs in one of two locations: Domestic elder abuse (in the elder's home) Institutional elder abuse (in a nursing home or other long-term-care facility) The types of senior abuse are: Physical abuse of the elderly Emotional abuse of the elderly (psychological or verbal) Neglect or abandonment of elders by caregivers Self-neglect by elders Sexual abuse of the elderly Financial exploitation of seniors (elder financial abuse) Los Angeles Elder Estate Unit 213-485-3795 Healthcare fraud or healthcare abuse of the elderly Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Adult Protective Services Elder Abuse Hotline: (877) 477-3646 APS Mandated Reporters Hotline: (888) 202-4248 LA Times Guardians for Profit http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-conserve13nov13,0,4940740,full.story

ELDER ABUSE FACTS "Every year an estimated 2.1 million older Americans are victims of physical, psychological, or other forms of abuse and neglect. For every case of elder abuse and neglect reported to authorities, experts estimate that there may be as many as 5 cases not reported. Research suggests elders who have been abused tend to die earlier than those who are not abused, even in the absence of chronic conditions or life threatening disease." Elder Abuse and Neglect: In Search of Solutions American's over the age of 50 years represent 30% of our population, 12% of our murder victims and 7% of other serious and violent crime victims. 90% of elder abuse and neglect incidents are by known perpetrators, usually family members, 2/3rds are adult children or spouses. 42% of murder victims over 60 were killed by their own offspring. Spouses were the perpetrators in 24% of family murders of persons over 60. The eldest of our seniors, 80 years and older, are abused and neglected at 2 - 3 times the proportion of all other senior citizens. -- Bureau of Justice Statistics In most states "mandatory reporters of elder abuse" are required by law to report suspected cases of elder maltreatment. Nearly 70 percent of Adult Protective Service agencies' annual caseloads involve elder abuse. 21.6% of all domestic elder abuse reports came from physicians or health care professionals 9.4% from service providers, 14.9% are family members. They types of abuses and their percentage of frequency are below. Neglect 58.5% Physical abuse 15.7% Financial exploitation 12.3% Emotional abuse 7.3% Sexual abuse .04% All other types 5.1% Unknown .06% National Center on Elder Abuse, 1994 The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study: Final Report Washington, DC: Administration for Children and Families & Administration on Aging, US Department of Health and Human Services More than 91% of nursing homes lack adequate staff to properly care for patients. The Health and Human Services Department report found patients in understaffed nursing homes were more likely to suffer from a variety of problems, such as bed sores, malnutrition, weight loss, dehydration, pneumonia, and serious blood born infections. It's a serious concern that will only increase with time, given that the population of people aged 85 or older is expected to double to 8.9 million by the year 2030 Studies estimate that 50% of elderly American are victims of financial exploitation while only 4% to 15% case are ever reported. Financial swindles are one of the fastest growing forms of abuse of the elderly according to NCEA.

WHAT IS AN ABUSIVE CONSERVATORSHIP? SAC, NOW is familiar that many Conservators abuse their Conservatee and the system that was created to protect them. SAC, NOW considers the following to be all too frequent abuses by Conservators: Conservators that steal the Conservatees money for their own gain and benefit. Conservators that do not adhere to the law requiring the Conservatees wishes must be considered. Conservators who support the requests of the petitioning party when it is against the wishes of the Conservatee. Conservators that conspire with unscrupulous family members to attempt to influence psychiatrists or psychologists to support the Conservatorship to have the Conservatee declared incompetent. Conservators not responding in a timely manner to a doctor or hospital regarding consent for Conservatee's medical care. Conservators with no medical knowledge refusing consent for medication for the Conservatee. Conservators denying information to family members regarding the Conservatee's physical, emotional, or mental well being. Conservators that force Conservatee's to visit doctors that are unnecessary, unwanted and against the Conservatees will. Conservators that disregard Court Orders by neglecting to give Conservatee their monthly allowance. Conservators that close checking accounts without conferring with the Conservatee or their financial records regarding outstanding checks, which cause returned check fees, checks to bounce, late fees and bank charges, all of which the Conservatee pays for. Conservators that neglect to pay Conservatee's bills in a timely manner, causing life-saving services, such as gas, water, power and phones to be turned off. Conservators that submit unsubstantiated charges against the estate. After the Conservatee dies, the Conservator is mandated to provide a reconciliation for their work. They do not have to provide proof for all their charges before the Court. Conservators who are unwilling to state their hourly rate and the cost for all services performed in behalf of Conservatee. Conservators who hire caregivers and do not supervise the care their Conservatee is receiving. Conservators hiring caregivers as an agent for information to provide false testimony to be used against the Conservatee. Conservators that remove family pets from the Conservatee's home without justification. Conservators that charge for unannounced visits when Conservatee is not home. Conservators that side with petitioning parties to ensure permanent Conservatorship. Conservators bringing legal action against Conservatee for their unwillingness to comply with the demands of the Conservator. Conservators bringing legal action against their Conservatee to prohibit interaction with a family member or friend. The use of intimidation, threats or coercion against the Conservatee or family member to ensure the wishes of the Conservator and/or petitioning party are met. Conservators using threats or undue influence on Conservatee to persuade them to withdraw their opposition to their Conservatorship. Conservators filing false claims with Adult Protect Services against family members that oppose the Conservatorship. Conservators that neglect the wishes and needs of their Conservatee. HOW YOUR MONEY IS BEING SPENT Once an unwarranted Conservatorship has started it is to everyone's advantage, except yours, to keep it going. The Conservator is now on your payroll, with full access to your money. Here are some examples of charges that Conservators can bill you for. $7.00      Telephone call to advise you that Conservator sent you a letter. $13.00    Review and sign bank signature cards. $17.00    To open one bill, review it and pay it.                Total time charged for this service 20 minutes. $26.00    Review change of address card from a doctor Conservatee had never seen. $28.00    Correspondence to you to return mail they received in error. $35.00    Correspondence to you to inquire the name of your accountant. $35.00    Correspondence to you for renewal of a credit card. $84.00    Telephone call to your attorney to confirm they forgot to pay one of your bills. $104.00 Bank reconciliation. $126.00   Conservators waiting time for Conservatee to return home for unannounced visit. $154.00 Investigate and search for bed rails. $206.25    Every 2 weeks you are charged by the Conservator for a review of their charges. These charges are just a few that were objected to and WERE COMPLETELY IGNORED BY THE COURT. Do you think a Conservator is against Conservatorship? There can be additional petitions to the Court, more hearings, numerous phone calls, and an extraordinary amount of correspondence from attorneys, which is charged back to you. You continue to pay for all attorneys involved in your Conservatorship LINKS LA Times Guardians for Profit http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-conserve13nov13,0,4940740,full.story Elder Advocacy Blog Aging Pro victimsofguardians.net iannarino.us/elderabuse.php  nelf.org  elder-abuse-cyberray.blogspot.com/200...  http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/trusts_estates_prof/ http://elder-abuse-spotlight.blogspot.com/2008/11/financial-elder-abuse-learn-to-combat.html http://www.guardianshipscam.com/ http://www.sac-now.com/ http://communities.justicetalking.org/blogs/day17/archive/2007/09/14/elder-abuse-the-crime-of-the-21st-century.aspx http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/Library/Statistics_Research/Abuse_Statistics/More_Information.aspx A.N.G.E.R. stands for Advocates for National Guardianship Ethics and Reform. It was founded by Robin C. Westmiller, J.D., the founder and former President of The National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse, which she formed in May of 2006 after she nearly lost her father, Ruby Cohen, to the Florida Guardianship system. * See "Blood Tastes Lousy With Scotch" in the books link on this site .http://angr.us/ Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Adult Protective Services Elder Abuse Hotline: (877) 477-3646 APS Mandated Reporters Hotline: (888) 202-4248 081706.pdf (application/pdf http://www.co.hawaii.hi.us/bc/cotsow/minutes/081706.pdf ASA | NVL - Protecting our Tribal Elders: Adult Protection Task Force Development http://www.asaging.org/NVL/details.cfm? id=219 B196218.doc http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/nonpub/B196218.DOC Do You Digg It | Minding Your Elders http://www.doyoudiggit.com/health/minding-your-elders FinancialContent.com - Stock Quotes and Business News http://finance.paidcontent.org/v? GUID=7134413&… Governor Ted Kulongoski Speech by Governor Kulongoski http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/speech/speech_102504.shtml Health http://folsomlocalnews.com/healthscience.html Honor and Respect for Our Elders http://www.indigenouspeople.net/elders.htm IJ Polls: Protecting our elders http://blogs.marinij.com/polls/2008/06/protecting_our_elders.html Karen Pierce Gonzalez Public Relations: Protecting Our Elders http://kpgpublicrelations.blogspot.com/2008/09/protecting-our-elders.html MEDIA ADVISORY: Protecting our most vulnerable: State leaders discuss proposals to keep elders safe http://www.atg.wa.gov/pressrelease.aspx? id=14050 Minding Our Elders® http://www.mindingoureldersblogs.com/ PCTF_minutes_112806.pdf http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/jc/tflists/documents/PCTF_minutes_112806.pdf Primal Health Bill in Hawaii Legislature « Big Island Solutions http://bigislandsolutions.wordpress.com/2007/05/09/primal-health-bill-in-hawaii-legislature/ Protecting Our Elders From Becoming The Victims Of Scams http://ezinearticles.com/? Protecting-Our-Elders-From-Becoming-The-Victims-Of-Scams&… Protecting our elders.(Stateline)(Brief Article) | State Legislatures | Find Articles at BNET http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb6363/is_/ai_n26121493 Protecting Our Future - Report of the Working Group on Elder Abuse http://www.dohc.ie/publications/protecting_our_future.html Protecting our Seniors; Law & Estate Planning - Episode 7 - Brightcove http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp? title=626966952&… Safeguard our Seniors http://www.flseniors.net/SOSNewsSPT101308.htm SENIORFRAUDRPT.pdf http://www.ago.state.co.us/consprot/SENIORFRAUDRPT.pdf SteadyHealth.com :: Find a Doctor - MOIRE , LAURA http://www.steadyhealth.com/find_doctor/moire_laura_id705591.html Take a Stand Against Elder Abuse http://www.tasaea.org/elderwalk.asp Tender Loving Care for our Elders http://www.psychceu.com/TLC/tlcindex.asp York region - Who will protect our elders? http://www.yorkregion.com/Health/beingwell%20magazine/article/77161