Former judge accused of exploiting elderly neighbor settles lawsuit

South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com


Former judge accused of exploiting elderly neighbor settles lawsuit

By Tonya Alanez, Sun Sentinel
4:14 AM EST, November 25, 2011

The civil case accusing former Broward Circuit Judge Larry Seidlin of fleecing a wealthy, widowed neighbor of money and property worth hundreds of thousands of dollars has been resolved by way of a confidential settlement, according to one of the attorneys involved in the case.

Barbara M. Kasler, who lived in the same Fort Lauderdale condo as the onetime judge, his family and in-laws, died Nov. 7, 2010, at age 84.

A confidential mediation settlement agreement was signed by the parties in September and October.

The civil lawsuit filed in Kasler's name, estimated her wealth at $5 million, and accused Seidlin — who gained national notoriety over his televised tearful handling of the Anna Nicole Smith death case — of feigning friendship with the widow, siphoning off her money and trying to hijack her estate.

The suit also accused Seidlin's in-laws, Oren and Barbara Ray, of buying a condo from Kasler at an unfair discount.

The Rays' attorney, former state Sen. Skip Cambell, on Wednesday confirmed the confidential settlement: "I wish I could tell you more, but I can't tell you more."

Kasler's niece, Corine Kasler, declined to comment.

State investigators twice cleared Seidlin, 61, of exploiting Kasler.

Under oath in a February 2010 deposition, Kasler said she liked the Seidlins, gave them gifts and could not remember what they did wrong to her. Kasler also said she freely paid private school tuition for Seidlin's daughter, Dax, and pretty much got what she asked for the condo she sold to the Rays, about $300,000.

When reached by cellphone Wednesday, Seidlin's wife, Belinda Ray, declined to comment.

Seidlin's attorney, Russell S. Adler, would not confirm the settlement: "All I can tell you is this: The case has been resolved."

The Seidlins had maintained that they treated Kasler like family, brought her meals, kept her company and took her to doctors' appointments.

The lawsuit also accused a former caregiver, an accountant, several attorneys and the onetime girlfriend of her deceased son of taking advantage of her.

Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Donald Hafele handled the case.

Please read complete article at link below:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-judge-seidlin-case-settled-20111124,0,247304.story

Editor's note: Fleecing of rich elderly folks by judges is not exclusive to Florida. This vile act takes place every day in the corrupt Probate Court of Cook County. At least in Florida, the heirs have access to an honest court system that encourages them to recover part of their legal inheritances taken from them due to the criminality of a judge. That would not happen in Cook County where the entire system is rotten.  Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster, ProbateSharks.com