Editor’s note: Being a fish, a Shark’s mouth does not water, he circles. Your ProbateShark would be on a merry-go-round if certain crooked GALs in the Probate Court of Cook County would be indicted. Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster, ProbateSharks.com
Indictment of guardian ad Litem reveals serious allegations in family court
By: Joe Holden
Updated: February 13, 2013
Scranton, Lackawanna County- She ruled with an iron fist and retaliated against parents who dared to question her authority, according to court papers. She leveraged an unusual and bizarre influence over the lives of children whom she was appointed by the courts to shepherd through complicated and often volatile custody proceedings, according to federal lawsuits.
She is Danielle Ross, guardian ad Litem for Lackawanna County's division of family courts.
Ross, of Jermyn, was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on charges of filing false tax returns and tax evasion.
Federal sources say the investigation, more than a year in the making, is seeking to identify parents who were threatened by Ross in exchange for their cooperation. Disturbingly, it's claimed Ross had the backing of Lackawanna County Family Court judges to unilaterally make decisions for children, most notably over the objections of parents.
In federal lawsuits, it's alleged Ross held visitation rights over parents' heads in exchange for unbridled cooperation. One such suit, filed by Dr. Michael Stefanov of Honesdale, claims Ross's conduct went unchallenged by Lackawanna County Family Court Judge Trish Corbett. Stefanov's suit contends Corbett signed court orders demanding years' worth of his medical records without explanation. It's further alleged Ross meddled in decisions about where a child would attend school and whether they'd play hockey or football. Ross was the sole authority in custody disputes with unchecked power and authority, according to parents who spoke to Eyewitness News.
More than a dozen phone calls were made to Lackawanna County court administrators on Tuesday. Not a single message seeking comment was returned. A woman who answered the phone said court administrator Ron McCay was in the office. Voicemails specifically seeking information on Ross's employment status with the courts were ignored. Reporters attempting to speak with president Judge Thomas Munley Tuesday afternoon were waved away by law clerks who were escorting him into the county administration building. Phone messages left for Munley at his Jessup home early Tuesday evening were not returned. The I-Team opted to pay the president judge a visit.
Munley said he could not comment on the Ross investigation because the Court of Judicial Discipline precluded him from talking about an ongoing federal investigation. When pressed if Ross was suspended from her job, Munley fumbled and later responded he could not talk about it.
No law or judicial canon prohibits a judge from commenting on the status of an employee.
Efforts to reach Judge Corbett and Ross were unsuccessful. Neither woman was at work on Tuesday.
William Burrell, a parent who has been fighting for custody of a child and stepchild, says he expects more charges. Burrell, who spoke to Eyewitness News Tuesday night at his home in Waymart, said his battle has been drawn out for more than a year. Familiar with the law, Burrell said he immediately questioned why a guardian ad Litem had been assigned to his children.
"I thought the guardian ad Litem's appointment was unnecessary," Burrell said. "It just sorta happened."
Ross was appointed to the case. In fact, Ross was Lackawanna County's one and only guardian ad Litem. Paid an annual retained of $38,000 through a contract, Ross would automatically be assigned to cases, even when a guardian ad Litem wasn't warranted or needed. In Dr. Stefanov's lawsuit, other parents are mentioned as being arbitrarily assigned to Ross by county court caseworkers. Federal investigators said Ross would charge parents as much $50 hourly, above her county retainer. Stefanov's lawsuit claims he paid Ross more than $9,000.
Burrell said he objected in court and asked Judge Corbett and Ross to recuse themselves from the case. Burrell said his request was made after he learned the county's family courts unit was under federal investigation. He said his request was denied and claims that's when the retaliation began. He says the judge and Ross reversed custody roles between he and his wife, forcing Burrell to cede full-time custody to his estranged wife.
Burrell and other claim if they stood up to Ross, she would threaten parents with a more significant loss of custody.
Allegations of case mishandling prompted a review of family court procedures by the Association of Pennsylvania Courts. It handed down a 135 page review last year of policies and made recommendations. Sources say the review failed to address most of the allegations contained in federal lawsuits.
The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District said Ross could face up to 16 years in prison if convicted on the I.R.S. charges.
Ross will be formally arraigned Friday morning at 10 a.m. at the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Scranton.
- See more at: http://pahomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=316802#sthash.aK9m97a9.dpufShe is Danielle Ross, guardian ad Litem for Lackawanna County's division of family courts.
Ross, of Jermyn, was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on charges of filing false tax returns and tax evasion.
Federal sources say the investigation, more than a year in the making, is seeking to identify parents who were threatened by Ross in exchange for their cooperation. Disturbingly, it's claimed Ross had the backing of Lackawanna County Family Court judges to unilaterally make decisions for children, most notably over the objections of parents.
In federal lawsuits, it's alleged Ross held visitation rights over parents' heads in exchange for unbridled cooperation. One such suit, filed by Dr. Michael Stefanov of Honesdale, claims Ross's conduct went unchallenged by Lackawanna County Family Court Judge Trish Corbett. Stefanov's suit contends Corbett signed court orders demanding years' worth of his medical records without explanation. It's further alleged Ross meddled in decisions about where a child would attend school and whether they'd play hockey or football. Ross was the sole authority in custody disputes with unchecked power and authority, according to parents who spoke to Eyewitness News.
More than a dozen phone calls were made to Lackawanna County court administrators on Tuesday. Not a single message seeking comment was returned. A woman who answered the phone said court administrator Ron McCay was in the office. Voicemails specifically seeking information on Ross's employment status with the courts were ignored. Reporters attempting to speak with president Judge Thomas Munley Tuesday afternoon were waved away by law clerks who were escorting him into the county administration building. Phone messages left for Munley at his Jessup home early Tuesday evening were not returned. The I-Team opted to pay the president judge a visit.
Munley said he could not comment on the Ross investigation because the Court of Judicial Discipline precluded him from talking about an ongoing federal investigation. When pressed if Ross was suspended from her job, Munley fumbled and later responded he could not talk about it.
No law or judicial canon prohibits a judge from commenting on the status of an employee.
Efforts to reach Judge Corbett and Ross were unsuccessful. Neither woman was at work on Tuesday.
William Burrell, a parent who has been fighting for custody of a child and stepchild, says he expects more charges. Burrell, who spoke to Eyewitness News Tuesday night at his home in Waymart, said his battle has been drawn out for more than a year. Familiar with the law, Burrell said he immediately questioned why a guardian ad Litem had been assigned to his children.
"I thought the guardian ad Litem's appointment was unnecessary," Burrell said. "It just sorta happened."
Ross was appointed to the case. In fact, Ross was Lackawanna County's one and only guardian ad Litem. Paid an annual retained of $38,000 through a contract, Ross would automatically be assigned to cases, even when a guardian ad Litem wasn't warranted or needed. In Dr. Stefanov's lawsuit, other parents are mentioned as being arbitrarily assigned to Ross by county court caseworkers. Federal investigators said Ross would charge parents as much $50 hourly, above her county retainer. Stefanov's lawsuit claims he paid Ross more than $9,000.
Burrell said he objected in court and asked Judge Corbett and Ross to recuse themselves from the case. Burrell said his request was made after he learned the county's family courts unit was under federal investigation. He said his request was denied and claims that's when the retaliation began. He says the judge and Ross reversed custody roles between he and his wife, forcing Burrell to cede full-time custody to his estranged wife.
Burrell and other claim if they stood up to Ross, she would threaten parents with a more significant loss of custody.
Allegations of case mishandling prompted a review of family court procedures by the Association of Pennsylvania Courts. It handed down a 135 page review last year of policies and made recommendations. Sources say the review failed to address most of the allegations contained in federal lawsuits.
The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District said Ross could face up to 16 years in prison if convicted on the I.R.S. charges.
Ross will be formally arraigned Friday morning at 10 a.m. at the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Scranton.
http://pahomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=316802
KawamotoDragon.com
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