Is Valley guardian group taking care of your loved one, or taking advantage?

PHOENIX - How much would you pay for four stuffed animals? Maybe $50 or $60?

How about more $3,367?

That seemingly outrageous price is what Patty Gomes' mother, Connie was charged under the care of Sun Valley Group, her court-appointed guardian.

They were supposed to take care of Connie's finances and healthcare.

Patty said Sun Valley Group exploited her mom and didn't take good care of her.

“Oh, my goodness, it's just craziness that's going on,” said Gomes. “My mother finally said, I want to die! I'm left all alone in this room all by myself.”

Patty said they wasted away thousands including trips to the mall to buy stuffed animals.

“My mother would spit in their face if she knew she paid for this stuff. It's wrong. It's exploitation. I mean it is out of control!” Gomes said.

The stuffed animals actually only cost about $20 each, but, according to Patty, Sun Valley Group charged for a companion, transportation, food and various other fees. This was to go to the mall 10 times.

Last month, the ABC15 Investigators exposed complaints about Sun Valley Group from families of people under its care.

Like Gloria Horrigan whose family said was taken to a nursing home against her will and not allowed visitors -- not even her daughter, Clair.

“It's sickening. It really truly is sickening,” Clair said.

These kinds of cases start in Maricopa County Probate Court. The court deals with issues involving vulnerable adults where a judge appoints guardians like Sun Valley Group.

Clair said Sun Valley Group seemed much more interested in her mom's money, than her health.

She questions numerous costs that added up to nearly $500,000.

That doesn't include the $500 Sun Valley Group wanted when Clair asked to see her mom for Easter. They wanted it in cash.

The ABC15 Investigators were repeatedly turned down for an interview by Sun Valley Group’s owner, Peter Frenette.

He did give us a statement:
     We operate in an industry of feuding families, complex medical and financial issues to help the incapacitated in crisis. Often this crisis creates extraordinary fees to be incurred. The probate process was designed to allow all parties an opportunity to present their position to a judge who can make a decision about the appropriateness of fees. -Sun Valley Group

To get a closer look at how Sun Valley Group establishes costs, the ABC15 Investigators obtained public documents from a lawsuit against them.

It's a breakdown of charges involving a client’s outing to a Phoenix Suns basketball game.

There are 20 different fees listed.

Nearly all involve "research", "calls," and "conferences" to discuss the Suns outing.

One even happened after the game to see how it all went.

This client went in style. They had a limousine and the red carpet treatment.

Total charge for the game was $1,027.

And according to the document, that did not include the tickets.

Grant Goodman is the attorney on three civil lawsuits for former clients of Sun Valley Group.

Goodman said he found a pattern with these cases of fraud and racketeering.

“They effectively medicate them to such an extent that they really are non-functional,” Goodman said, “And they do that while they're liquidating their assets.”

Goodman is one of the attorneys for Marie Long.

She is the one who went to the Suns game. She is 88 years old; 85 at the time of the game.

Her estate was worth $1.6 million.

Now, Long is penniless and a ward of the state.

According to her attorney, Sun Valley Group dropped her as soon as her money ran out.

Since our first story aired, charges at the state's nursing board against one of the owners were dropped.

But, the Maricopa County's Organized Crime Unit is still investigating the group.

And so will we. We want to hear if you've had problems with probate court.

Please send me an e-mail and leave a comment.