Los Angeles Judge allows hearsay in conservatorship case, drains family’s assets and shatters trust

Brunch! Beloved Matriarch Klea Dole with her adorable grandchildren Klea and Frankie. July 31, 2022.Photo byThe Raymond Family

The flaws of California’s probate system were on full display Aug. 16, during a hearing before Judge Deborah L. Christian at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles. The Klea S. Raymond Revocable Family Trust case is emblematic of how probate courts are undermining justice, particularly when it comes to conservatorships. The proceedings were notable for the absence of a court reporter, the lack of evidence presented, the reliance on hearsay, and lack of due process— all at the expense of a family’s unity, assets, and constitutional rights.

This case isn’t isolated. The individuals involved in the Raymond case, including GAL Beti Tsai Bergman, are reportedly involved in other Los Angeles probate cases, such as the Anita Alatorre Conservatorship and are conducting court hearings in a similar manner.

The probate system in California has become a breeding ground for corruption, with stories like the Raymonds', the Alatorres', and most notably, the Britney Spears conservatorship becoming increasingly common.

These cases bear resemblance to the Netflix film I Care a Lot, where a corrupt legal guardian exploits her vulnerable wards. The film seems to have taken some inspiration from The New Yorker article "How the Elderly Lose Their Rights." The New Yorker reported, “In the United States, a million and a half adults are under the care of guardians, either family members or professionals, who control some two hundred and seventy-three billion dollars in assets, according to an auditor for the guardianship fraud program in Palm Beach County."

“A Government Accountability Office report from 2010 stated, “We could not locate a single website, federal agency, state or local entity, or any other organization that compiles comprehensive information on this issue.” A study published in 2017 by the American Bar Association found that “an unknown number of adults languish under guardianship” when they no longer need it or never did. The authors wrote that “guardianship is generally permanent, leaving no way out—‘until death do us part.’”

Further revealing similar corruption within all of California’s courts and elected officials, as the state descends deeper into what some are calling the nation’s new center of corruption.

The Raymond Family’s Struggle

Klea Dole, was married for 20 years to Malcolm Dole, a relative of James Dole (of Dole Food Company ). She worked as a flight attendant in her younger years and later co-owned two rental properties with her son, Frank Raymond. For over a decade, Frank has managed these properties, maintaining his mother’s trust while caring for her at home alongside his own family.

Klea Dole at work as flight attendant.Photo byThe Raymond Family

Malcolm and Klea Dole with granddaughter Klea, August 2017.Photo byThe Raymond Family

Enjoying a night out to dinner. Matriarch Klea, her son Frank, granddaughter Klea and grandson Frankie, April 2022Photo byThe Raymond Family

In December 2022, Dole was moved into the assisted living facility Wellbrook at a cost of $34,000 per month under the direction of court-appointed Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Beti Tsai Bergman and Conservator Ellie Page. Since then, Dole’s health has steadily declined under the care and supervision of Bergman, Page and Wellbrook. On one occasion in 2023, Dole fell at Wellbrook, breaking her hand and wrist, resulting in a hospital stay—an alarming shift for a woman who had thrived in the care of her son and his family.

Klea Dole in the hospital after falling at the assisted living facility, Wellbrook, July 2023.Photo byThe Raymond Family

Frank Raymond, a devoted son and father of two young children—daughter Klea, 10 and son Frankie, 6—has fought to protect his mother’s welfare and the family’s assets, which should fund her care. However, a petition filed by his adopted sister, Julie Raymond, on October 5, 2021, has ignited a prolonged legal battle over Dole’s trust and properties.

Court records show that this case has dragged on for nearly three years, filled with delays, accusations, and mounting legal costs, with no trial to date, all while the family’s assets are being depleted. “We’re just trying to protect Klea from Frank,” Bergman and Julie’s attorney, Yevgeny Leon Belous, told the judge. But Frank’s attorney, Nigel Burns, contends that there is no evidence to support their accusations.

Valentine's Day Event. Klea Dole, son Frank Raymond and Klea's grandchildren Klea and Frankie. February 2022.Photo byThe Raymond Family

Mother's Day Brunch. Klea Dole and son Frank Raymond with Klea's grandchildren Klea and Frankie. May 2022Photo byThe Raymond Family

A Courtroom Without Accountability

The Aug. 16 hearing saw no court reporter present, no evidence presented, no witnesses called, and no cross-examinations conducted. The lack of transparency was blatant. Only verbal arguments were made, relying heavily on hearsay rather than evidence. Despite the serious accusations leveled against Frank—including allegations of fraud and mismanagement—no proof was offered to support these claims.

As Frank’s attorney pointed out, they had provided months of documentation to all parties well in advance of the hearing. “We submitted [to the court as exhibits] seven months’ worth of email communications,” said Burns. “Sixteen emails in total. Not one request for further documents.” Yet, the opposing side conveniently claimed once again during the August hearing they hadn’t received the necessary information, prompting further delays.

The probate system appears to be failing families like the Raymonds, prioritizing bureaucracy and legal fees over the well-being of the individuals it is supposed to protect. Judge Christian’s refusal to consider evidence or cross-examine witnesses is emblematic of a broken system. Ironically, a few weeks after this hearing, Los Angeles Presiding Judge, Samantha P. Jessner, ordered electronic recordings in courtrooms to protect litigants' constitutional rights—an order notably absent from this proceeding.

A System Riddled with Corruption?

As the Aug. 16 hearing began the parties appearing remotely were asked to identify themselves. Attorney Jennifer Vane of Wright Kim Douglas, complained to Judge Christian about investigative reporter from Chicago, Mike Volpe alleging Mike recorded court hearings.

Vane stated “You’re honor, Um, I am wondering if [Julie Holburn] is affiliated with this citizen journalist, Mike Volpe, who has been contacting us repeatedly about this case, he interviewed Frank on his blog, and he has been excluded from OC courts because he has videotaped a zoom court hearing and has put it on his YouTube account. And so, I am concerned about non parties showing up, because I am concerned that this person who is not affiliated with this case, is going to violate court rules.”

Judge Christian said, “I don’t believe we have any reason to exclude any members of the public they have every right to listen in.”

Again Jennifer Vane, “I was concerned, there are taped zoom hearings on Mr. Volpe’s account and so I wanted to make sure she was not affiliated with him.”

Adding fuel to the fire, investigative journalist Mike Volpe, who interviewed Frank Raymond in May 2024, (watch the interview below), has uncovered additional instances of judicial misconduct in California through his more than 50 part series on Orange County Probate and Family Court. Volpe’s reporting has exposed how court-appointed guardians, minors’ counsel and attorneys exploit vulnerable seniors, children and their families, with little to no oversight or accountability from the court system or local district attorneys.

No Evidence Needed

Judge Deborah L. Christian’s handling of the August 16 hearing has raised serious concerns. Julie Raymond’s attorney, Mr. Belous, accused Frank of fraud and other wrongdoings during his argument without providing any hard evidence. GAL Bergman supported these claims, despite the lack of supporting documentation.When Frank’s attorney, Mr. Burns, pushed back, pointing out the baselessness of the allegations, Mr. Burns told Judge Christian “This is unnecessary. My client has done nothing wrong. They need some evidence that he’s done something wrong.” The judge dismissed Burns’ arguments, saying, “They don’t.”

The core issue, according to Bergman and Julie’s legal team, was that Frank had been managing the family’s rental properties without a real estate license—a technicality that Frank’s attorney argued would be remedied in a matter of weeks. Still, the judge sided with Bergman, ordering that a professional property manager be appointed within ten court days. Despite Frank co-owning the properties, his rights were ignored in favor of further legal wrangling and billing.

A Call for Reform

Attorney Marci L. Barrett, Esq., co-owner of Elder Resolution Partners, is an experienced trained mediator in elder care and inheritance disputes. She works with families that are dealing with aging loved ones or the loss of a loved one.

“We try to emphasize to families the importance of working together in lieu of litigating in the courts,” Barrett said “We are currently developing a project with a Director, Jeremy Pion-Berlin."

Pion-Berlin directed Failure To Protect, which won the 2022 Best US Documentary Film award. Pion-Berlin said he grew up hearing stories of parents entangled in the system. “For 35 years my mother has been the CEO of Parents Anonymous, a support group founded in 1969.”

As this case drags on, the Raymond family’s assets continue to dwindle, while Dole remains in an assisted living facility where her health has visibly worsened. Frank Raymond, who has spent years caring for his mother and managing her properties, has been painted as the villain without any hard evidence. The probate system, designed to protect vulnerable seniors, is instead enabling court-appointed officials to profit off their misfortune. Mr. Burns, Frank’s attorney, has requested billing invoicing for the case from Bergman, Vane and Paige who responded saying they weren’t “entitled to it” until January 2025.

The next hearing is scheduled for January 23, 2025—a delay that will only further drain the estate. With no court reporter, no documents presented, no witnesses called, and only hearsay driving the court’s decisions, the Raymond case epitomizes the broken state of California’s probate and family court system. You can help by becoming a court watcher in your area, or for the Raymond case specifically, by registering here for the next remote hearing.

Attempts to reach Ms. Bergman, Ms. Vane, and Ms. Paige for comment were unsuccessful.

Whistleblowers and victims of family court, CPS, probate court, foster care corruption, please follow Julie and contact this reporter at juliea005@proton.me.

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