PHOENIX, AZ – Following a hearing held earlier in June by the Arizona Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse, Republican Senator Mark Finchem announced that legislative efforts are on the horizon in a bid to close potential legal loopholes regarding financial exploitation of vulnerable adults by court-appointed fiduciaries.
On June 2nd, the Arizona Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse held a hearing at the State Capitol complex in Phoenix where concerns were raised by experts and other members of the public regarding instances of court-appointed fiduciaries exploiting those who they were entrusted to serve the best interests of.
Testimony shared before the committee collectively alleged the likes of guardians, conservators, and various lateral appointees are able to operate with limited oversight alongside a legal system enabling them to undermine elderly and vulnerable adults.
Arizona Senate Republicans shared a statement from Sen. Finchem to social media on June 15th, where the senator began with detailing some of the alarming testimony he heard during the hearing earlier in the month.
“The testimony painted a disturbing picture of court-appointed actors who were entrusted to protect the vulnerable adults, yet were accused of draining estates, mismanaging assets, and enriching themselves and leaving families powerless to stop it,” Sen. Finchem stated.
Sen. Finchem went on to emphasize that just because the victims of these sorts of financial abuses may be in vulnerable positions themselves, “It doesn't mean they don't have a voice, and it certainly doesn't mean they don't have people willing to fight for them,” adding that the committee is actively investigating the claims made during the aforementioned hearing.
“If the evidence supports it, I will make referrals to the FBI and any other appropriate law enforcement agencies. At the same time, I'm already working with stakeholders on legislation for the next session to close loopholes, increase transparency, and strengthen protections for vulnerable adults,” Sen. Finchem stated.
As for those who have allegedly exploited the elderly via their court-appointed statuses, Sen. Finchem had a personal message he wanted them to hear, saying, “And here's a message for anyone who believes a court appointment places them above scrutiny: it doesn’t. Fiscal mismanagement ends careers, especially for lawyers, guardians, guardian ad litems, and fiduciaries who are supposed to protect people, not exploit them. If the evidence proves these allegations true, there will be consequences.”
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