Public commenters accuse local conservatorship actors of elder abuse and estate plundering

A string of public commenters told the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 19 that they suspected elder abuse, financial exploitation and procedural failures in local conservatorship cases.

A public commenter reading from a conservatorship declaration said, “Since 2012, Oakland resident Eleanor Frerichs, age 96, has been held prisoner, forcibly isolated, and her estate plundered,” and named Legal Assistance for Seniors (LAS) staff and a former LAS board member as alleged perpetrators. The commenter said a declaration would be filed in the conservatorship case and cited specific paragraph excerpts alleging earlier accusations and testimony by LAS staff.

Kathy Rodriguez, who identified herself as the lead petitioner in a family conservatorship case, told the board she has not received court‑ordered documents related to her father’s conservatorship (she said there are "62 documents" she has not been given), alleged neglect and said her father’s death had been ruled a homicide. "My dad was neglected by social services, and his death was ruled a homicide," Rodriguez told supervisors and said she had a death certificate she was leaving with the board for the record.

Doris Lilly said her 96‑year‑old aunt, Christine Williams, has dementia and that a volunteer who took over financial affairs changed the aunt's will and sold her house while the aunt remained alive. Venus Guest said the problem is widespread and announced coordinated campaigns and community screenings of a Guardian documentary to push for review of conservatorship practices.

Board Chair thanked the speakers and said the comments would be noted; no formal board action on conservatorships was taken at the meeting.

The public callers pressed county agencies for two kinds of remedies: (1) access to court‑ordered files and clearer records access for family petitioners, and (2) a review of conservator licensing, oversight and the county’s public‑guardian practices. The meeting record shows no staff response or immediate commitment to a new review at that session; commenters indicated they will pursue filings in court and continued advocacy.

What happens next: the board did not take any immediate reportable action at the Nov. 19 meeting on these complaints. Complainants in the room said they will file or have filed declarations in their conservatorship cases and will press the county and courts for records and accountability.