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From Local Courts to National Impact: Our Journey What began in Connecticut state and federal courthouses has blossomed into something far bigger than we imagined. In 2024 and since 2010, your questions about local court proceedings sparked a realization: the need for clear, accessible legal information knows no borders. Today, The Real Facts Unsealed brings transparency to courtrooms across America.
“Why isn’t anyone explaining what this means for regular people?” A reader asked this about a major federal court decision last year. That question captures exactly why we do this work.
Our Evolution
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Vision for 2025 We’re expanding our coverage to tackle the legal issues that matter most to you:
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Together, we’re making the justice system transparent, one case at a time. Here’s to uncovering more truth in 2025!
Invasive and systemic problems plague our legal system, from probate and family to foreclose, housing courts. Fraud, misconduct, and corruption lead to denied justice, especially for pro se litigants. Bias and discrimination compound these issues across state and federal jurisdictions.
WestportWOW: A Decade of Exposing Corruption in Connecticut
From 2012 to 2022, WestportWOW served as a beacon of truth in Westport, Connecticut, shedding light on corruption within the state’s probate court system and beyond. Founded by Albert Robert Cuseo III, the blog arose from frustration with local media’s silence on these critical issues.
Key Highlights from the WestportWOW Archives:
Probate Court Corruption: Numerous cases of judicial misconduct, estate mismanagement, and elder exploitation were exposed.
High-Profile Cases:
Andrew H. Pritchard’s wrongful arrest and fight against foreclosure fraud
The Eli Schutts case, where a court-appointed attorney falsely accused a client’s girlfriend of theft
Legislative Action: Coverage of bills like Public Act No. 17-136 and S.B. No. 494, aimed at reforming probate and family courts.
Elder Abuse: Stories of conservatorship abuse, including the case of WWII veteran Lou Russo escaping from a court-appointed conservator.
Financial Crimes: Reports on attorneys stealing from estates, such as the Waterbury attorney sentenced to 41 months for stealing $18,000 from an estate.
Systemic Issues: Discussions on Connecticut becoming “the most expensive place to die” due to soaring probate fees.
Advocacy: Coverage of initiatives like the Public Corruption Task Force and efforts to combat elder financial exploitation.
Despite facing hacking and censorship, WestportWOW’s decade-long fight against corruption left an indelible mark on Connecticut’s legal landscape. While the original site is no longer active, its spirit lives on in continued efforts to expose injustice and protect vulnerable citizens.
For those interested in diving deeper into these issues, the WestportWOW archives offer a wealth of information and case studies. Although the original blog is no longer accessible, many of its stories have been preserved through internet archives and continue to inform current advocacy efforts.
Stay tuned to The Real Facts Unsealed as we continue to uncover and share stories of corruption and injustice, carrying forward the legacy of WestportWOW’s important work.
Accessing the Full WestportWOW Archives
While WestportWOW is no longer active, we’ve preserved its decade-long fight against corruption. Below, you’ll find links to the full archives, organized by year and month. These archives offer a detailed look into the cases, investigations, and advocacy efforts that shaped Connecticut’s legal landscape from 2012 to 2022.
How to Use These Archives
Browse by Date: The archives are organized chronologically, allowing you to see how issues evolved over time.
Context is Key: Remember that these entries were written in real-time as events unfolded. Some cases may have had developments after the date of posting.
Andrew H. Pritchard’s wrongful arrest highlights the corruption in Connecticut. See live interviews from reporter Tim Reilly of Tyrant Slayer Studios. Pritchard’s petition aims to address judicial corruption in the state.
The Connecticut Judicial Branch’s electronic case management system allegedly enables non-bank entities to unlawfully seize properties remotely, without in-person hearings, court trials, or jury trials. ______________________________________
Waterbury Attorney was sentenced to 41 months in prison for stealing nearly $18,000 from an estate, failing to distribute the assets as required. ______________________________________
Former Bristol attorney Jodi Zils Gagne was sentenced to 46 months in prison for stealing over $169,000 from clients while serving as a court-appointed conservator, exploiting her position as an officer of the court. ______________________________________
A collection of guides to help court users understand basic Probate Court procedures and what to expect in probate matters, including guides for conservators and persons with intellectual disabilities. ______________________________________
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacates a lower court ruling in a family dispute over a $111 million estate, highlighting issues within the probate system.
“ROBBED” by Athena Roe explores the complexities of health care and estate administration, providing insights into the policies affecting nearly $18 trillion passing through probate courts over the next decade. ______________________________________
Corporate Mailing Services are widely used in Connecticut, including by towns, cities, financial institutions, and Probate District 50, to save time and money on mail services.
Public Act No. 17-136, which involves Probate Court operations, was enacted by the Connecticut Senate and House of Representatives, detailing the oversight of corruption and unethical practices in Probate Courts.
Prof. John H. Langbein, Sterling Professor of Law and Legal History at Yale Law School, addresses the Connecticut Legislature Committee regarding the scandalous operations within Connecticut’s Probate Courts.
A comprehensive audit report on the Office of the Probate Court Administrator for fiscal years 2013-2016, conducted by the State of Connecticut’s Auditors of Public Accounts. ______________________________________
Homemade signs at an abandoned New Milford gas station claim that the probate court system “kidnapped someone’s mom,” reflecting the deep mistrust and corruption perceived by many Connecticut residents.
The story of Lou Russo, a World War II veteran, who managed to escape the control of a court-appointed conservator that had placed him in a desperate situation. ______________________________________
A flashback to 2013 campaign promises made by Lisa Wexler, the GOP candidate for Weston-Westport Probate Judge, during her run for the position. ______________________________________
Attorneys who act as estate fiduciaries must be aware of the advocate-witness rule and assess whose interests are at stake before continuing representation if litigation arises. ______________________________________
A discussion on the CT Judicial Branch’s resistance to providing audio services to individuals requesting them under the Americans with Disabilities Act, despite the potential to reduce transcript production time.
Trumbull resident Dan Lynch plans to sue the state for attorney and judicial misconduct, seeking over $55 million in damages following a divorce that cost him his business, health, and faith in the judicial system.
Morris Glucksman, 68, surrenders his law license amid accusations of stealing nearly $60,000 from a client’s estate, and failing to comply with several probate orders. ______________________________________
Former Attorney avoids prison in a larceny case involving a disabled client, causing severe distress and distrust in the legal system for the victim. ______________________________________
The Har Company, L.L.C., a private consulting firm, discusses the importance of probate reform in Connecticut, drawing lessons from Colorado’s reform efforts and their support for Pro Se litigants.
A Wilton 12-year-old named Danny is at the center of a legal controversy that could lead to changes in Connecticut’s attorney disciplinary system, involving millions of dollars and high-profile attorneys. ______________________________________
Partners report a Southbury attorney to Connecticut officials, alleging that he issued over $3 million in fees from a client’s estate to his firm as fiduciary. State attorney disciplinary officials seek an interim suspension. ______________________________________
Probate fees on settling estates in Connecticut have risen dramatically, resulting in invoices that could top $100,000 or even $1 million, making it the most expensive place to die. ______________________________________
Woodbury attorney Peter M. Clark is facing federal theft charges for allegedly stealing $1.8 million, most of which was intended for charity, from the estate of an Oxford woman.
A discussion on probate piracy and the involuntary redistribution of assets, highlighting how the $41 trillion generational wealth transfer is intercepted by so-called probate pirates. ______________________________________
The FBI and State Police allege that a Woodbury elder lawyer, Peter M. Clark, used the multi-million-dollar estate of a wealthy Naugatuck Valley resident as a personal piggy bank, cheating Oxford out of millions.
Anne Stevenson’s presentation at the Battered Women’s Custody Conference 2015, discussing her involvement in raising awareness of parents’ court stories and the challenges of getting media attention. ______________________________________
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that bloggers have the same 1st Amendment rights as established journalists when involved in defamation suits, provided the issue is of public concern.
A letter to the editor from Anne Stevenson, a political analyst and freelance journalist, discussing social justice issues and child welfare in the Connecticut court system. ______________________________________
Legislation aimed at criminalizing the exploitation of elderly persons, preventing perpetrators from profiting, and adding financial institution employees as mandated reporters of suspected abuse.
New Canaan resident Michael Nowacki successfully appeals his 2012 convictions, raising questions about the affordability of justice for many. ______________________________________
Federal authorities announce a new task force to investigate public corruption in Connecticut, addressing persistent issues despite numerous prosecutions.
An article from The New York Times discussing how nursing homes in New York are seizing control over patients to collect debts, raising concerns about civil rights abuses. ______________________________________
A must-see short film exposing the greed, corruption, and unseemly transfers of America’s wealth through probate courts and frivolous civil litigation, highlighting the corruption between lawyers, banks, judges, and property rights. ______________________________________
A Connecticut panel of three Superior Court judges voted to fire a lawyer for performing private probate work in courts she oversaw while working as a state probate court administrator. ______________________________________
The story of Daniel Gross, a senior citizen from New York, who drove to Connecticut and ended up trapped in a conservatorship nightmare. ______________________________________
The Coalition for Connecticut Family Court Reform conducted a survey in May 2014 to gather insights from members, focusing on issues within the probate and family court systems.
Discussion on the issue of parental alienation in Connecticut, highlighting 17 alienating behaviors identified by experts Amy Baker, Ph.D., and Linda Gottlieb, LMFT. ______________________________________
Stamford Probate Court clerk Kristen Rich testified in Hartford that her efforts to unionize led to her firing, supporting a bill that would have allowed probate workers to organize. ______________________________________
The General Assembly passed a bill reforming how Connecticut’s family court system handles contested child custody cases, focusing on guardian ad litems.
Discusses a businessman who initiated the Connecticut Task Force, spending over $300,000 in legal fees but still being obstructed from seeing his children.
Commentary on the ongoing issues in Connecticut’s family and probate courts, highlighting the struggles faced by citizens within these systems. ______________________________________
An introduction to the Coalition for Connecticut Family Court Reform, a group of advocates seeking significant changes to the state’s family court system. ______________________________________
Florida State University’s a capella group, the AcaBelles, became a Youtube sensation with their cover of “Royals” by new artist Lorde, generating over 6 million views. ______________________________________
State Senator Toni Boucher submits a letter endorsing Lisa Wexler for Probate Judge, published by CT Senate Republicans. ______________________________________
Police are investigating a probate court-appointed lawyer who allegedly tried to cover up his improper handling of a disabled man’s finances by filing false accounting statements.
A Wethersfield man suffering from cerebral palsy was deprived of his inheritance by a probate court-appointed conservator, as found by the court. ______________________________________
A Superior Court judge has vacated court orders that prevented a Southington woman from leaving her estate to her caretaker, sending the long-simmering Smoron Farm controversy back to Probate Court. ______________________________________
Friday, January 11, 2013 Lawless America: Marjorie Partch. These videos tell a clear story of the horrors faced by elders in the U.S., including involuntary incarceration and the loss of their Constitutional rights. ______________________________________
Probate fight over Southington farm continues. In a nearly empty courtroom in Hartford on Monday, a half-dozen lawyers continued to fight over the dying wishes of a Southington woman who wanted to give her farm to a specific party.
It’s an amazing video that proves autism is not what most doctors and everyone else think it is. The video showcases an autistic girl expressing unimaginable intelligence, challenging common perceptions of autism. ______________________________________
Petition urging Connecticut Attorney General George C. Jepsen to protect elders from exploitation, with a focus on returning seized assets. ______________________________________
Probate Sharks is dedicated to exposing and addressing corruption in the Probate Court of Cook County, Illinois, and offers assistance and education to affected families.
Probate court-appointed attorney Marc Ford Greene admitted to falsely accusing a client’s girlfriend of theft in the case involving retired Western Connecticut State University professor Eli Schutts.
Discusses the ongoing probate case involving Eli Schutts and broader issues of elderly citizens disappearing into the probate system. ______________________________________
State Elder Abuse Hotlines. If you suspect elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, call your state’s elder abuse hotline or reporting number. Help is available. In an emergency, call 911 or the local police.
Daughter sues a Wilton, CT nursing home for various allegations including fraud and cruelty, referencing the influential Daniel Gross case. ______________________________________
The White House Office of Public Engagement, in collaboration with other agencies, hosts an event highlighting elder abuse and financial exploitation issues.
Bill Windsor, producer of Lawless America, meets with Connecticut Probate & Estate Attorneys for his documentary project investigating issues in the legal system.
Discusses California’s lead in probate reform, with judges vowing to limit conservator fees following a newspaper exposé on trust issues in the probate system.
Discusses the growing importance of elder care issues with the aging Baby Boomer generation and the challenges in finding resources in Connecticut. ______________________________________
Discusses the ‘Bringing Dorothy Home’ initiative, aimed at raising awareness about nursing homes bypassing families’ legal authority to seize assets of residents.
Details a case where the Appellate Court reversed a judgment due to the Probate Court exceeding its authority in modifying an estate distribution order.
Explores Legal Abuse Syndrome as a form of PTSD, affecting victims in various legal matters including divorce, custody, probate, and malpractice cases.
Discusses cases of alleged elder abuse by guardians and conservators, including a specific case of an elderly person taken from their home in Southport, Connecticut.
Calls for investigation into the case of Kingsley Hubby’s removal from a hospital in Savannah, highlighting concerns about elder rights and safety in Connecticut.
Personal account of alleged probate abuse, involving the loss of significant assets and a family home, leading to potential homelessness. ______________________________________
A complex legal dispute involving a farm belonging to Smoron. The case involves alleged deceptive legal maneuvers that both superior and probate courts are struggling to resolve.
A story related to World War II recognition for a Westport family. It discusses Westport’s involvement in the war effort, including forming a Defense Unit in 1941 and conducting air-raid drills.
A case of potential elder abuse where Dan Gross, a senior citizen from New York, was allegedly held involuntarily in a Connecticut nursing home, raising concerns about conservatorship and guardianship issues.
References testimony by Yale Law School Professor John H. Langbein to a Connecticut Legislature Committee, suggesting significant issues within Connecticut’s probate court system.
Reports that Probate Judge Kevin O’Grady had been on medical leave for over a month, with Fairfield Probate Judge Daniel Caruso serving as the acting probate judge in his absence.
Discusses concerns about Connecticut’s legal system, particularly its probate system. Includes a warning from Yale Law School Professor John Langbein advising elderly Connecticut residents to establish residency elsewhere to protect their estates.
A follow-up to a previous post about a probate court meeting, indicating that the meeting went better than expected, with a “Transition Coordinator” from a Medicaid program making an appearance.
Mentions a movie project aimed at exposing alleged dishonesty in government and issues within the judicial system, focusing on the loss of constitutional and civil rights.
The Importance of These Archives
These archives serve as more than just a historical record. They are:
A resource for researchers and journalists investigating systemic corruption
A tool for advocates pushing for ongoing legal and systemic reforms
A warning and guide for citizens navigating Connecticut’s probate and family court systems
A testament to the power of citizen journalism and persistent advocacy
As we continue to uncover and share stories of corruption and injustice on The Real Facts Unsealed, the Westportwow archives provide invaluable context and background. They remind us of the progress made and the work still to be done in ensuring justice and protecting vulnerable citizens.
We encourage you to explore these archives, share relevant information, and join us in the ongoing fight for transparency and accountability in our legal systems.
The Real Facts Unsealed 