Our editorial today notes that justice finally caught up with Arlan and Linda Kaufman, but argues that it took far too long and that reforms are needed to protect other disabled Kansans.
One law change would prevent a nonfamily care provider, such as Kaufman, from also being a patient’s legal guardian. That’s a clear conflict of interest and an invitation to abuse and fraud. Another would establish a new state abuse and neglect unit to coordinate protection services for Kansans with disabilities.
State lawmakers should make these changes a priority in the next session.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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9 Comments
I am pretty sure having a “dual relationship” (therapist & guardian) is a violation of the ethical standards governing Kaufman’s license. I just don’t think this prohibition was enough for someone like Arlan.
Anyone know why Phil Cline was there for the verdict. Did he smell the cameras and came running? The AG’s office didn’t prosecute this. This was a federal event but Cline just couldn’t avoid being seen on TV.
This whole situation just illustrates how glaringly incompetent SRS really is. Reports have been filed against the Kaufmans for more than 20 yrs and only now are they being held accountable.The government couldn’t care less about the severe and persistant mentally ill and others who can’t stand up for themselves, they’re the first to be neglected and ignored and the last to recieve justice.I hope there is some litigation against SRS, they need a good shake up to get off their butts and make some serious changes.
Damoon,
Kaufman sued SRS after one of their earlier investigations and won a settlement of over $8,000. I wonder if that made them gun-shy about him.
Where Kaufman screwed up was he stole money from the government. Now we may not like people abusing vulnerable people, but if you really want to get the law enforcement system down on you big time and in a hurry, just steal some money from powerful societal institutions. Your a** will be their’s.
Has anyone else heard the rumor that the Feds offered to let Mrs. Kaufman go free if she would roll over on her husband? (I’m not going to touch the pun potential here). Relying upon accomplices to rat each other out is a tried and true Federal strategy — I wondered if that story was true.
You’re right Steven, it was only when the Medicaid fraud became so obvious that the state finally did a serious investigation. Again, it only shows how inadequately SRS protects the mentally ill. It has always been unethical for mental health professionals to be guardians, landlords, or payees for their clients, yet SRS let the Kaufmans get away with it for more than 20 yrs. I hope some badly needed legislation comes from of all this. At the very least, all group homes should be licenced. It’s long overdue.
Damoon,I am pretty sure it was Medicare fraud that caught him up. Stealing from the Feds is not a good idea. They have a lot of money and a lot of time . . . if you are in their sites, they will eventually get you.
oops, that should be “sights” and not “sites”
Damoon,Interesting…. they had no time to investigate abuse of human beings, but touch their money and watch out! Says real mouthfulls about where SRS’s loyalties lie!