Thursday, April 30, 2009

Judge Accused of Exploitation

Larry Seidlin, the weeping Anna Nicole Smith judge who has allegedly chiseled more than a half million dollars from an elderly widow in his condo building, has been removed from the woman's will.

Actually, Seidlin's wife and daughter are off the will, since Seidlin kept his name out of it as he worked to take over Barbara Kasler's multi-million dollar fortune.

Kasler's family members, caregivers, and an activist named Lyn Evans have managed to remove Seidlin from the widow's life and possessions.

This news comes after a state investigation began into allegations of abuse and exploitation of Kasler by the Seidlins.

Mrs. Kasler called her niece, Corine Kasler, in Pensacola and asked her to take over her affairs. "With the improvement came her ability to understand that perhaps Larry Seidlin wasn't operating in her best interests. It was the turning point."

The will naming Seidlin's wife, Belinda Seidlin, and daughter Dax has been revoked, says Corine Kasler, and a new will is being worked up that definitely won't involve the judge or his family. The trustee of Kasler's estate, Steve Fuller, and the estate's attorney, Richard Judd, are being fired.

Full Article and Source:
Judge Seidlin's Clan Removed From Widow's Will

More information:
Judge Larry Under State Investigation After Elderly Abuse Complaint

DCF probes gifts to family of former Broward judge

Former judge Larry Seidlin accused of exploiting 83-year-old neighbor

13 comments:

concerned citizen said...

Judge Seidlin is a Broward County probate Judge for years. The entire probate division in Broward County should be investigated along with Judge Mel Grossman. They are using their positions of trust for their financial gain along with Attorneys and Guardians.

Anonymous said...

A sick lesson for all to learn from a top player in the probate system, Judge Seidlin on how to work over and take advantage of a mark, a vulnerable, elderly neighbor with assets.

Now, will there be criminal charges against the judge for his actions to profit?

I fully agree with concerned citzen there needs to be a full investigation into
the entire probate division in Broward County post haste before records and documents disappear, get misplaced, lost - we know the routine, don't we?

It is more than a good possibility that:

"They are using their positions of trust for their financial gain along with Attorneys and Guardians."

The loop of probate crooks. This is a no-brainer, entire case smells bad, very suspect, Judge Seidlin used his position for financial gain.

When will the feds move forward?

Anonymous said...

Every case Judge Seidlin has touched in recent years should be investigated. Every one.

Anonymous said...

It will be interesting to see what the judicial discipline committee does with this one!

Anonymous said...

I agree with you, Concerned Citizen. It's a good old boys club, at the expense of vulnerable people.

Perhaps the media attentin on Seidlin will start the ball rolling!

Anonymous said...

I think there should be a turn over of judges -- a term limit per say. After two terms, they should not be alowed to "serve" anymore.

I don't know if they start out crooked or if they just can't resist the bounty in front of them, but it doesn't take long and so many are tainted.

You're right, Anonymous2, every case he had his hands on should be reviewed.

wisernow said...

Judge Seidlin is WEEPY, GREEDY and DIRTY. The victim, Barbara Kasler, is very fortunate that she had people who discovered this unforgiving act of expoloitaion, people who were able to pursue this action to a just conclusion.

I agree, every case that he touched, dirtied, must be investigated if need be going back into the archives.

My thoughts are: If one judge is DIRTY, you can bet there are / were others and we need to get to the bottom of this and find out who was doing what and when.

I think it would be a good idea for all the probate cases in the Broward County courthouse to be seized and removed for complete audit and review by the authorities. This action would result in discoveries of much wrongdoing.

StandUp said...

Concerned Citizen - what you are saying about the bad Broward County probate judges, sadly, is true of most probate judges.

If the judicial discipline committees did their job, judges would too.

Anonymous said...

It amazes me that judges sit so sanctimoniously on the bench and attempt to appear as pillars of the community. And then we find out about their secret lives!

Betty said...

Wisernow brings up a good point, the other cases this judge presides over should be seized --- now, before he has a chance to doctor them further.

concerned citizen said...

In the Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel News paper on April 26th 2009, ( see www.sunsentinel.com ) , Broward county, "Florida Judges Double dipping." Judges Stanton Kaplan $552,541.00 and Leroy H. Moe $716,930.00. Although legal by existing laws they will retire and then continue working collecting lump sum momies and double salaries. These are our Judges who also make decisions when they feel that in their opnion the law is not being broken and they said that the law requires them to do this .....what a bunch of crap...

StandUp said...

Concerned Citizen, even when judges are disciplined (I mean that rare, rare occasion), their retirement is protected almost every time.

We have to clean up the judicial discipline committees in order to get true reform.

wisernow said...

conerned citizen, I hear you and feel your anger and disgust. What you describe is a major problem in many states: double dipping:

"Although legal by existing laws they will retire and then continue working collecting lump sum momies and double salaries."

Legal by existing laws, does not make it right. Many if not most laws are intentionally written, (the language of the laws are reviewed and edited by lawyers), with loopholes some as large as sinkholes for a reason, to give back to those who will benefit in some manner from the loopholes.