Senior Care in Question: The Rebecca Fierle
CaseExplained
![Elder Fraud Investigation targets Fierle](https://i0.wp.com/www.stopprobatefraud.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Rebecca-Fierle-Florida-Guardian-300x283.jpg?resize=288%2C272)
The Spectrum News Watchdog team has followed the developments and uncovered details since that hearing. Below, we break down the case: who she is, what happened, and why Florida’s lawmakers are now looking into reforms for people who help handle the affairs of the state’s most vulnerable seniors.
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Florida licensed professional guardian.
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Court appointed to care for at least 450 seniors in 13 counties.
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Appointed to handle financial and legal matters when a person is unable to.
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Duties include consenting to medical treatment, making end-of-life decisions.
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Unlike public guardians, who are regulated by the state, professional guardians can take on as many wards as they want.
![Image](https://i0.wp.com/d3cdtxx03omvla.cloudfront.net/2609678_1564768351737.jpg?resize=264%2C345&ssl=1)
![Image](https://i0.wp.com/d3cdtxx03omvla.cloudfront.net/2609678_1564775560458.jpg?resize=156%2C208&ssl=1)
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Ninth Circuit Judge Janet Thorpe found Fierle “abused her powers” and developed conflicts of interest.
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Also found Fierle filed DNR orders without court or family approval.
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Thorpe removed Fierle from 98 cases in Orange, Osceola counties. STORY
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Orange County comptroller report says Fierle did not notify families of wards about court proceedings and asset sales. STORY
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Fierle used wards’ money to make transactions that benefited Fierle family members without court knowledge.
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Hired employees without notifying the courts.
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Fierle subsequently removed from cases in Seminole, other counties.
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Fierle resigned from all cases statewide. STORY
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Office of Public and Professional Guardians investigated. STORY
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FDLE raided Fierle’s office as part of investigation.
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Cremated human remains found. STORY
![Image](https://i0.wp.com/d3cdtxx03omvla.cloudfront.net/2609678_1565043674618.jpg?resize=230%2C301&ssl=1)
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Said he is working with Gov. Ron DeSantis on legislative reform.
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Bipartisan Congressional bill aims to increase guardian oversight. STORY
- COMPLETE COVERAGE:
- Cremated Human Remains Found at Embattled Guardian’s Orlando Office
- Watchdog: Florida Leaders Want Changes in Guardian Program
- Florida Elder Affairs Chief on Guardian Complaints: We Dropped the Ball on This
- Guardians Chief Quits After Complaint Log, Official Says
- Embattled Guardian Resigns From Cases Statewide; Criminal Investigation Continues
- Watchdog: DeSantis Vows “Vigorous” Guardianship Probe
- Watchdog Update: 2nd Judge Removes Guardian From Cases After Man’s Death
- Watchdog: FDLE Opens Probe Into Guardian Under Fire Over “DNR” Death