TS Radio Network: New Mexico Supreme Court Commission on Guardianship Reform

Hosted by Marti Oakley & Coz Skaife

Our guest is Marcia Southwick:   Director of NASGA

In May of 2017, the New Mexico Supreme Court Commission studying Guardianship Reform heard testimony from an expert who spoke on behalf of professional guardians throughout the state.

Sharon Moore explained that her company, Ayudando Guardians  (the word means "helping" in Spanish)  adhered to "a model code of ethics" and had the trust of district judges. She said that the company accounts were audited once a year.   Both Sharon and her partner Susan Harris were also certified by the National Center for Certification of Guardians

Approximately 2 months later,  Sharon  and her partner, Susan Harris, were charged with a decade-long sophisticated scheme to embezzle funds from client trust accounts.  It was eventually discovered that 11 million in clients funds had been stolen.

How can such a thief be brazen enough to testify before the Supreme Court on behalf of the industry? And what does this say about the profession?    Tonight we'll discuss this case, its outcome, and efforts in New Mexico to reform the Guardianship system.