Florida guardian suspended from more than 30 cases amid allegations

For more than a decade, the ABC Action News I-Team exposed problems with Florida’s professional guardianship system in our award-winning series “The Price of Protection." Last week, we were there when Collier County professional guardian Kathy Johnson was suspended from more than 30 cases amid allegations of missing money, lost records, and hacked bank accounts. “At best this is mismanagement. At worst it’s something more,” said Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Krier.

[@billcarson1966]

She needs to be convicted, sued, bankrupted and then placed in guardianship after her jail term.

[@Lisargarza]

And after that, a special ring in h***. Unbelievable.

[@Morgansmisadventures]

with a guardian worse than herself

[@cathydavis9259]

She is selfish and evil. She keeps saying "no comment" what else can she say? She knows she's guilty.

[@tuvoca825]

The system they work in is broken, under trained, under staffed, over stretched, profit driven (people are the product). They want to do well but they become defeated and helpless as caregivers becauae they have no power and little supoort for the burden they carry.

[@MitziHart]

YUP,… and I’m here for it ⚖️

[@righteousbyfaithinChrist]

This is appalling...more bad behavior from "guardians"...their victims need justice. Kudos for this judge.

[@Cassie00111]

these guardians are blood suckers

[@saythankyou111]

Money machines 🇺🇸🐍

[@carolr7823]

Put her in jail for the rest of her life! Taking advantage of disabled and elderly people is one of the worst crimes.

[@JonathanFraser-i7h]

They don't even seem to be that elderly or disabled.

[@mattmcmahon8311]

Seriously the bottom of the bottom

[@susanphillips-t4z]

Take everything from her her money her house her car and her children

[@watsonspuzzle]

What a freaking nightmare!! I'm so sick of the predators of this world.

[@saythankyou111]

It has to be brought to light, I don’t remember this much evil on the children before……👀🇺🇸🕊

[@schoomzer]

It's a coordinated effort by people of many backgrounds to take advantage of elderly people and declare them incompetent for their own financial gain.

[@ultimateshowdownbattle]

Clerk of Clowns especially judges and attorneys are in on getting their undercover cut.

[@esthers9122]

Racketeering that the FBI is ignoring.

[@esthers9122]

@@ultimateshowdownbattleAnd the doctors and social workers.

[@ann316]

Exactly!!!

[@erinmboehm]

This abuse needs to be brought to attention on a national level. This is disgusting.

[@crinklecut3790]

She needs to go to prison for a long, long time.

[@FVWhimsy2010]

Putting a 56 year old under guardianship??? That alone should have invited extreme scrutiny.

[@alliekingsley7919]

I mean it absolutely can happen. When I was 35 I had to be evaluated for guardianship because my disability and my medications impaired me cognitively. Thank goodness the evaluator found me competent to care for myself still or I'd have been put into a conservatorship. I'm off the worst medication that was playing games with my memory and ability to think, and I could mentally care for myself and manage my own bills and the like if I needed to live on my own. There really are times when it's needed but far too often it's some sleazy crook who's charging 95$ an hour to go get groceries for an adult capable of doing it on their own and charging a 90 year old Irish woman rent on a house she has to share a bedroom in!

[@dennischristopher9952]

They do that to people with mental health issues all the time. They overmedicate, which makes you unable to defend yourself. There are so many conservatorships that are abusive. ​@@alliekingsley7919

[@tonisumblin2719]

Are you serious? You don’t know that young people can become disabled? Car accidents, head injuries, strokes, kidney failures, diabetic comas. Aneurysms, The list is endless.

[@abelis644]

​@@tonisumblin2719 Did that woman, who in fact is no longer under guardianship, look in any way, physical or mental, disabled to you??? Did you even watch the video???

[@tonisumblin2719]

@@abelis644 Are you in the medical profession? I was for 35 years before I retired. You don’t have to be a medical professional to see that a person is or isn’t normal. So Let me clarify, I don’t think I explained my position. If this person took guardianship fraudulently then she definitely needs to go straight to prison. I’ve seen that happen to. It’s despicable. 😡. And I’m definitely not making excuses for her in any way. I had many patients who “looked” normal but weren’t. Some were early stages of Alzheimers. Alzheimers can strike at an early age. The youngest I’ve seen were in their late 40’s. I was only replying to a person’s physical appearance. It’s not as obvious as we think it is. I’ had to think how this person got doctors to make a diagnosis for her to become a guardian. You have to file your guardianship in court with a diagnosis from a doctor. Then it’s filed with the State.

[@Tipperary757]

Half a dozen lawyers? That alone raises questions -- she's flashing the money! Her lawyers are scum, too.

[@margaritoamargo6347]

over $600,000 stolen at least. I would say the financial benefit affords her a lot of attorneys. But I also bet the state is helping her so they can protect their money maker.

[@Rubyclaygirl]

She's using her victims money to escape justice, Shameful

[@littlegreen5845]

Who do you think designed the system? This has been a legal scam since the 1990s. Hippa and privatization working a legal hand in glove.

[@hazelkathryn]

How in the world can someone lose their rights because they are injured? Who declares patients incapacitated? Is the "guardian" going to be charged with felony theft? She was stealing from these folks!

[@Charmander009]

Problem is there is no trial by jury . Some evil psychiatrist and judge decided

[@margaritoamargo6347]

They do it for the financial benefit. Its all a scam. And when families try to help they get blocked by the state often times.

[@GrainneDhub-ll6vw]

Why didn't the Irish consulate get involved?

[@crptnite]

When you live in an Oppressive State, like Florida or Tennessee, they actively work to incapacitate certain individuals simply to exploit us.

[@Mudhooks]

@@GrainneDhub-ll6vwShe was probably prevented from using the phone and wouldn’t have been able to get mail in and out. The home where she was sent was remote so no she had no physical access to anything and the home was likely in on it. It’s frightening! They got money to house her. They would lose that money. It’s like a horror movie.

[@erinmboehm]

Shit I’m 47 and I fell and broke my leg. I was incapacitated for months on months. Any injury when u don’t have a partner or money to have people constantly care for u at home- anyone could end up like this. Billing her for calls? Omg this needs to be investigated by the DOJ

[@bswogger4656]

Wish the Congress would changes these laws because nobody, o telling you nobody spoke to me but you can read nasty lies in the narrative. These scum bags are disgusting!

[@internetuser7156]

This isn't the first and won't be the last. Florida's guardianship system is a mess.

[@ericeandco]

Every state’s guardianship process and laws is pathetic. Be a senior your yard go and a stranger will say you can’t take care if yourself. Your finances and your rights can be stripped away by anyone.

[@erinmboehm]

Florida it self is a dumpster fire.

[@healinggrounds19]

Florida is a crooked state. One of the worst I have lived in.

[@garfield2439]

Florida is a mess, period

[@garfield2439]

​@@healinggrounds19💯👍

[@sidharthchand8072]

This is a complete racket

[@TLPmediaUSA]

Florida welcomes it too. So many people abuse that system

[@ChubbyUnicorn]

Absolutely disgusting behavior. Disgusting

[@SunflowerBeeHappy]

Disgusting! If she's found guilty she needs to go to prison for life!

[@littlegreen5845]

It’s a civil matter. …. 100% happens all the time in retirement states. 90s hippa and privatization doing exactly what they are designed to do - human trafficking. Scientology billion year contracts too.

[@sharoncollins7722]

It’s what she deserves! Evil…

[@Sissiebrumbaugh]

She needs to have everything stripped away from her, even her freedom. Lock her up for the rest of her life, even the ones that knew what she was doing.

[@buyerbware25]

"That's how guardianships work." Only if the "guardian" has a felon lifestyle.

[@TheVitamin421]

shame on her and shame on the state of Florida

[@5thdimension954]

Fl is a very corrupt state. I hope they send her off to prison but they’ll never get any money back

[@MannyLin-pj6zz]

The judges that awarded guardianship should be under investigation

[@BeccaHetrick]

Her pets disappeared?! That's too far...

[@ms.fravell7606]

OMG horrors !!!!

[@paulettebarrow9791]

@Becca, Probably put to sleep, this woman is a demon with skin

[@downhomesunset]

@@paulettebarrow9791That costs money! Most likely dropped off at the nearest shelter.

[@Hatbox948]

Wow, she's a grifter.

[@larsonfamilyhouse]

Worse than that!

[@Mudhooks]

This disgusting. The treatment, the theft, the disposal of property, the disappearance of pets… And it happens all to often in the US. I’ve never heard of such criminality!

[@littlegreen5845]

It’s by design. Privatization and hippa make it all possible. …. 100% happens all the time in retirement states. 90s hippa and privatization doing exactly what they are designed to do - human trafficking. Scientology billion year contracts too.

[@pedrorodriguez2914]

Tip of the iceberg? Start a stetewide investigation,there must be people suffering .😎🌴🐊

[@t8rtaught]

Her and her WHOLE CREW should be investigated, prosecuted, and then jailed! Shame on them all!!!!

[@Justagirlnamedshawn]

I am crying!! This is so sad!! Why the daughter her moms guardian??? Always about freaking MONEY!!!! How can people do this????????? She should NEVER have been a guardian with her record!!! Do better justice system!!!

[@beverlyweber171]

Thank you Action News

[@mekosmotivationalmessages]

“Professional guardian” should not even be a JOB!!! These people take advantage of the most vulnerable in our society

[@lindat3607]

Shouldn't there be someone assigned to check on these guardians?? Court failed tem as much as the guardian!

[@tinydanceryoutube]

Thank you, Adam Walzer. Excellent work exposing this evil heartless crook

[@anniehills3580]

This Kathy chic needs some street justice!!!

[@scottmccrea1873]

SIX lawyers? Apparently being a "professional guardian" is really lucrative!

[@bradyjones8263]

It's NOT mismanagement, it's stealing. They always say it was mistakes, but they lie.

[@littlegreen5845]

It’s not stealing. It’s a civil matter. It’s not mismanagement either. It’s the hippa privatization system hard at work doing what they are designed to do. Steal and imprison (with less rights than prison) fraudulently until the victim dies. 90s hippa and privatization as designed.

[@yvettemiller3819]

This woman needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

[@aheimdahl5201]

This "Guardian" needs to go to JAIL 🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@sammyocgirl7411]

she is an old bag scammer

[@beatricev.7783]

This woman needs to be behind bars ASAP

[@littlegreen5845]

It’s a civil matter lol. … 100% happens all the time in retirement states. 90s hippa and privatization doing exactly what they are designed to do - human trafficking. Scientology billion year contracts too.

[@maestrovso]

So this professional guardian is like I am a professional of looking after and use your money?

[@Fido-vm9zi]

Yes. Look up the movie I Care a Lot

[@dank3151]

charged $270 to go to Walmart to spend her own money that's insane

[@internetuser7156]

Wow! All of Florida is truly crazy.

[@littlegreen5845]

This is nationwide. All the retirement states … Florida , Arizona Nevada. It’s a system designed in the 90s where hippa and privatization work hand in glove to deprive the rich (mostly but anyone) of their money and freedom (more rights in a public nursing home, jail or public state mental hospital) to create a gravy train for years until the victim dies.

[@jodihouts6032]

It is nationwide. I just finished watching a local news story of a down's syndrome woman who had all her money "mismanaged" in California. Went from 250k to zero in a matter of months.

[@FlipMacz]

A half a dozen lawyers????

[@crackajoe4026]

I hope her and all involved spend the rest of their lives in prison

[@christianwolf68]

ever seen the movie " i care alot" it is exactly like this

[@littlegreen5845]

Yep I cried. It had the wrong message for the audience though … as if anyone … even a highly trained special agent could break anyone out of this legal quagmire. Avoid in any legal documents any possibility of private placement. Public nursing homes and hospitals only. No no no private placement.

[@christianwolf68]

@@littlegreen5845but in the age of you yourself being the product and your data, purchases, even the exact dates of a woman's menstrual cycle are bought and sold, it wouldn't be hard for someone to find out everything about you

[@Girltrucker05]

They couldn’t get away with this without support and help from the State! Shameful ripping off elderly citizens!

[@allisondavis8921]

She needs to go to JAIL!! How does this happen? Their needs to be accountability on every level.

[@littlegreen5845]

It’s a civil matter. Happens all the time. Shocker is the judge. Hope she’s careful. ….. 100% happens all the time in retirement states. 90s hippa and privatization doing exactly what they are designed to do - human trafficking. Scientology billion year contracts too.

[@juliepiemonte3268]

I think there's a Netflix movie about a rogue Guardian. It's called "I Care A Lot." Sounds like the same deal.

[@lindaandrews5468]

I was about to say the same thing.

[@littlegreen5845]

Yep but without all the unrealistic action and happy ending. 90s hippa , privatization hard at work doing what they are designed to do. And Scientology billion year contracts too. Human trafficking signed into law.

[@hhunstad2011]

Someone trapped like that must feel so helpless. It's awful.

[@littlegreen5845]

Yes. My grandmother was tortured for two years before she passed. …. 100% happens all the time in retirement states. 90s hippa and privatization doing exactly what they are designed to do - human trafficking. Scientology billion year contracts too.

[@MS-ej9fi]

What a horrible, horrible person! That lady and whoever else works with her need to be in Prison! For a VERY LONG TIME!

[@heathercloete7450]

How on earth is this actually happening??? Seems ludicrous!

[@littlegreen5845]

100% happens all the time in retirement states. 90s hippa and privatization doing exactly what they are designed to do - human trafficking. Scientology billion year contracts too.

[@harmdizzle1979]

You would throw up knowing that most guardians are like this. Fight for your elderly loved ones

[@AnnacolleenEtters]

This is horrible! I hope this woman is thrown into prison, if found guilty!

[@sue8237]

This is beyond horrible. I hope they are prosecuted to the limit. Horrible people.

[@Sockmonkey3940]

this is shocking....absolutely awful. the agency in charge should be sued

[@diannedocherty3816]

It’s only an evil person who can endure others suffering while stealing everything from them. Wow

[@littlegreen5845]

It’s by design … 100% happens all the time in retirement states. 90s hippa and privatization doing exactly what they are designed to do - human trafficking. Scientology billion year contracts too.

[@waynepierce7305]

And there aint no storage with socalled records either

[@brooklyn5streetsmart]

How sad is this

[@JD10142002]

Believe me, she isn’t in this alone. She had help for years.

[@littlegreen5845]

Yes. Lawyers. Judges. Health care workers. Congress. …. 100% happens all the time in retirement states. 90s hippa and privatization doing exactly what they are designed to do - human trafficking. Scientology billion year contracts too.

[@alicefreist318]

Wow. This is among the cruelest things people do to each other. Any judge who does not scrutinize the parties involved in establishing a guardianship should be disrobed. It's basically jailing someone, AND legally robbing them. The guilty "guardians" should be banned from EVER having authority of any kind, over anyone else, for life!

[@littlegreen5845]

It’s way worse than jail. You have more rights in jail or prison. More public oversight in public nursing homes. More rights than a public state mental hospital. It’s a 90s legal scheme using hippa and privatization that is starting to metastasize.

[@sarabrant723]

how can they do that to this lady she's not a United States citizen!

[@marilynnschroeder4436]

Despicable!

[@ButterfliesAreNinjas]

Revictimizing, the actual victims absolutely disgusting and disturbing! Lock her up

[@Lomojo31]

All the Judges who ignored the letters should have to endure the same living arrangements.

[@carlariggs525]

the system, starting with judges is corrupt and inept. this should serve as a warning for everyone (not just old people) to get legal advice and set up a system/living wills/potential guardianship beforehand. Johnson needs prison

[@littlegreen5845]

This is the wrong advice and brings attention to the victim from the estate and trust attorneys who are behind it all if there is any money to be had. If you have any documents make sure your designee is only allowed to place you in a public hospital or public nursing home. Never ever ever ever private. And don’t sign any billion year contracts with Scientology either.

[@koleyw932]

Another example of how wonderful Florida is.

[@west0498]

This is unbelievable. How can they do this to people. I hope she gets jail time and every single person she was “guardian” over gets reevaluated. There’s no telling how many more people in that state have been done this way!

[@roosterd6904]

She's not a guardian, she's a money tick

[@littlegreen5845]

No she’s definitely a guardian. Definitely. …. 100% happens all the time in retirement states. 90s hippa and privatization doing exactly what they are designed to do - human trafficking. Scientology billion year contracts too.

[@BeccaHetrick]

Didn't know there was such a thing as a professional guardian...

[@saraxdouglas8577]

Yeah Brittany Spears had her dad for many many years.....

[@Charmander009]

@@saraxdouglas8577yea he leeched all her money

[@amigo4909]

scammers are well aware

[@littlegreen5845]

100% happens all the time in retirement states. 90s hippa and privatization doing exactly what they are designed to do - human trafficking. Scientology billion year contracts too.

[@Ddccpp2152]

There is a movie about this very thing, scary!

[@MF-xb5bk]

This happens more often than we know

[@janetkeen8280]

Jail and confiscate everything she has purchasedwith her ill gotten gains. Unbelievable!

[@jmo2104]

This is frightening.

[@JustAlanJohn]

Tip of the iceberg ABC Action should look into even more cases like this. .

[@littlegreen5845]

Exactly. It’s all legal. … 100% happens all the time in retirement states. 90s hippa and privatization doing exactly what they are designed to do - human trafficking. Scientology billion year contracts too.

[@brandyjohn]

These evil, greedy charlatans are sickening. I hope she's jailed.

[@sstephanieboyle5415]

This is happening all over. We need to stand up and hold these preditors accountable!

[@darryllibby98]

Filed for bankruptcy but hires a dozen lawyers....looks like she tucked away alot of other peoples money...!!!!!

[@littlegreen5845]

They are all in on it. Probably practically pro bono. Wouldn’t want this case to set a precedent. …. 100% happens all the time in retirement states. 90s hippa and privatization doing exactly what they are designed to do - human trafficking. Scientology billion year contracts too.

[@rev.dr.davidcole8915]

What a total crook.

[@tmalfieri1]

There should be a max limit to how many clients a “professional guardian” can carry. Like limit it to a total of ten. It should not be a money-making scheme. 😢😢😢

[@crisfield4364]

That person needs to be charged with kidnapping, embezzlement and abuse of elders. Prison for life would be perfect consequences for evil she's done.

[@lizg1976]

What a hateful person. I moved my parents near me and oversaw all aspects of their care in AL. Dad passed but Mom is alive at almost 91.

[@salleebagno4390]

❤

[@madjack8893]

That’s insanity.

[@Lonewolf0840]

This is actually pretty common.

[@Justagirlnamedshawn]

It is, but somebody looking after THIS many people???? That is ridiculous!!

[@vitalipopkhadze369]

💯 Absolutely.

[@littlegreen5845]

100% happens all the time in retirement states. 90s hippa and privatization doing exactly what they are designed to do - human trafficking. Scientology billion year contracts too.

[@skywatch208]

I went through this. The Guardian told the court she wasn’t paid but owned many horses and had a luxury life while I lived in squalor. Married for 34yrs and my husband suffered abuse. A loving 20 year retired Marine. THIS MUST STOP!

[@julieowen5874]

These people need to spend the rest of their lives IN PRISON!!! HOW DARE SHE!!!

[@g30rg3gp0rg]

This is utterly ridiculous

[@ariapax3489]

Jail, jail, jail time for her

[@sarabrant723]

This reminds me of the one lady in Florida who is perfectly fine and the lady that was her guardian sold her house disposed of all of the items in the old lady's house she took her money and spent it she ended up selling the house to one of her friends below market value. And the lady got absolutely nothing back. The lady was literally locked inside of a dementia unit she wasn't allowed to go outside or do anything and it took the news people come in there and talking to her to get her out of the guardianship program. Guardianship should not be allowed in any state. This is absolutely disgusting what they do to these elderly people. Even people who aren't elderly that just have some problems nobody should be able to have full reign and control over someone else's life this is absolutely disgusting this lady needs to be in jail for the rest of her life.

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

Evil is as evil does

[@kmj782]

What kind of disgusting do you have to be to steal from those you were assigned to help ,??????

[@JaneDoe-ve5lr]

This woman must go to prison. I just reported a guardian in another state who ripped off her clients for self gain and this did the same. I volunteer with cognitively impaired individuals who need extra help so they can avoid thesmy corrupt guardians out there. The standards must change and it starts with the judges to stop granting guardianships without licensed medical experts including a variety of doctors plus a mental and cognitive tests. Too many judges automatically grant guardianships without checking facts, without someone looking into the legalities of so-called guardians, without checking licenses, and without any future checks once guardianship is granted. All state agencies must provide these things but judges rarely make anyone else responsible for providing proof of need and services. PUT THIS WOMAN IN PRISON AS WELL AS ALL ITHERS WHO DO TKE SAME TJONGS. THIS HAPPENS 100S OF TIMES EACH DAY AND ITS SICKENING.

[@Trund27]

Disgusting.

[@Starfish2145]

How do these scumbags get through the system?

[@IratePuffin]

This is absolutely horrendous!!! Wasn’t there a Netflix movie about this exact kind of thing a couple years ago?

[@Sunweaver593]

Sounds like sweet set up. Grifter one declares someone incapacitated, grifter two raids the piggy bank

[@badcat5667]

Any time I hear "professional guardian or guardian conservativeship," I am very weary any more ‼️ Especially after Brittany Spears & Bam Margera‼️This is very scary of what a person can do with you, your property, & $$‼️I feel for her, such a shame ‼️🙏⚖️🇺🇲🦅

[@kaarlimakela3413]

Shocking!

[@TJ-gm2uy]

How the hell does this happen wtf is happening to our world😢

[@documissionexploringknowle9513]

Just put her in guardianship and she’ll lose everything automatically it seems.

[@IsabelleMercado-o8k]

My gosh, Florida must be a governmental cesspool. Between this and the ongoing situation in Levy County courts, it’s what I’d expect to hear about in a third world country 😢

[@monarnyc]

Wish more Judges would do this. My uncle was ripped off under Guardianship

[@stephaniejames4940]

This is exactly what is happening to Wendy Williams guardian and the judge who accepts donations from the same guardian. The laws need to change!

[@AzucaNegra16]

You can see what it's like to have a bad guardian in the Netflix movie 'I Care A Lot.'

[@magicworld3242]

She's pure evil. People like her don't commit their crimes alone.

[@littlegreen5845]

Nope. An entire legal system dedicated to just this kind of fraud. Shocked the judge said anything at all. She should watch her back. They will come for her. …. 100% happens all the time in retirement states. 90s hippa and privatization doing exactly what they are designed to do - human trafficking. Scientology billion year contracts too.