Update from Gretchen Rachel Hammond about Oakland Co. (MI) Probate Court which she investigated thoroughly for her five-part series, “The Fortress.” ( https://www.dailykos.com/…/-The-Fortress-Part-One-of-Five-U…).
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From Gretchen: Good, sneaky and bad news.
It seems the guardians and judges at the Oakland County Probate Court have been doing a bit of house cleaning since August:
Elderly and developmentally disabled victims are getting moved out of unlicensed group homes.
Small refunds are being offered to victim family members on the proviso that they sign a form saying they received a refund for “accidental over billing.”
Guardians are trying to close out cases and get rid of their own assets (such as half million dollar homes).
Files in case dockets are being altered or removed (such as accounts, change of address forms and ex parte orders).
As of last week, the court’s only public access computer (the one my team and I used to research case files without paying $1-per-page) is gone.
So, the good: removal of victims from unlicensed group homes.
The sneaky: small refund as long as you agree to saying. “No worries. Small oops. Could have happened to anyone.”
The bad: destruction of evidence and hiding assets. If Dana Nessel was really investigating these crimes, one would imagine that such activity would be a naughty no-no.