tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67364735556828592822024-02-02T11:59:43.887-08:00Cribs, Crimes and CorruptionThe world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.
Albert EinsteinDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-26727816253302077562009-11-02T06:03:00.000-08:002009-11-02T06:03:25.611-08:00The Santa Barbara Independent Mozes’s Money Headed to Victims<a href="http://independent.com/news/2009/oct/29/mozess-money-headed-victims/">The Santa Barbara Independent Mozes’s Money Headed to Victims</a><br /><br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/adoption%20journey/sig.png" border="0">Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-72612815178131050042009-10-30T06:29:00.000-07:002009-10-30T06:29:06.419-07:00Adoption Agency Director Guilty Of Grand Theft<a href="http://www.northcountrygazette.org/2009/10/26/guilty_adoption/">Adoption Agency Director Guilty Of Grand Theft</a><br /><br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0">Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-38936005818699771012009-10-29T12:24:00.001-07:002009-10-29T12:25:14.243-07:00Another Low-Life Scamming APs<center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3zmm6uwJFhI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3zmm6uwJFhI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-59085438411147825862009-10-28T13:35:00.000-07:002009-10-28T13:37:44.979-07:00Queen Of Greed, Christen Brown, Shot Down By Judge EskinAlthough the wait has felt interminable, it was almost worth it to read Judge Eskin's decision regarding Plaintiff Christen Brown's attempt to get the money reserved for victims of Orson Mozes' adoption scams. Judge Eskin ruled that Brown<br /><br />1. does not have a legitimately acquired interest in the confiscated assets;<br />2. is NOT AN INNOCENT SPOUSE/PERSON; and<br />3. the claim for child support by Brown does not have priority over the (monetary) restitution owed to the victims of the defendant's crimes.<br /><br />AMEN! I took great pleasure in Judge Eskin's keen observations regarding Brown's involvement in Adoption International Program and his verbal lashing that she placed her own desires before her child's (Zoe) interests!<br /><br />Here are a few of my favorite comments by Judge Eskin<br /><ul><li>"The evidence is overwhelming that the source of the seized assets was the defendant's (Orson) operation of a fraudulent business between the years 2003 and 2007, while he lived Claimant (Christen), and she (and their children) enjoyed the benefit of his earning which were derived from the crimes..." </li><li>"Claimant failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that she was an 'innocent.' This court cannot determine the extent of her criminal culpability, but the evidence does support this Court's conclusion that she was (probably) complicit in the criminal activities." </li><li>"...she undoubtedly had knowledge of the crimes despite her protestations to the contrary and was probably complicit in the criminal activities."</li><li>"The testimony of Claimant was extremely damaging to her position. The factors used to assess credibility of witnesses lead this Court to conclude that her testimony was inherently unbelievable. Although she earned a master's degree in counseling psychology from Boston University, published a book and coached clients for speech and media presentations, at times, she presented herself as clueless about the operations of AIP between 2004 and 2007..." </li><li>"Her explanation for the mid-hearing visit to Kathleen Lynch defied credulity, and her attempt to explain her involvement in the e-mail exchange with AIP client Vanessa Donaher in November 2005, when she agreed to refund her money while denying she had any knowledge of complaints by AIP clients borders on ludicrous." </li><li>"It is this Court's opinion that this clever language constitutes a fraud perpetrated on the Court in the dissolution proceedings..." [Note: This was in reference to specifics in their divorce] The judge also makes a statement that Christen basically put herself before her daughter and should have used proceeds from the sale of the house to support their daughter.</li></ul><p>In my opinion, this is all confirmation of what the victims have felt in their hearts all along: Christen is a greedy piranha and only cares about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ~ she knew exactly what was going on and could care less about APs or orphans. All she ever cared about was maintaining her luxurious lifestyle...even to the point where she placed maintenance of that lifestyle above the needs of her own child!</p><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-26964503638994702322009-07-24T05:05:00.001-07:002009-07-24T05:05:32.349-07:00Daily Sound: Adoption scammer hears from his victims<a href="http://www.thedailysound.com/072409mozessentencing">Daily Sound: Adoption scammer hears from his victims</a><br /><br />Shared via <a href="http://addthis.com">AddThis</a><br />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-74051518249327387432009-07-15T06:16:00.000-07:002009-07-15T06:17:53.779-07:00Christen Brown is a GREEDY PIRANHA!Christen Brown, Orson Mozes' ex-wife and the co-owner and Executive Director of the adoption agency (Adoption International Program) that bilked nearly a hundred PAPs out of their life savings and the children proved once again, in my opinion, that she is a GREEDY PIRANHA!<br /><br />The Santa Barbara District Attorney's office found and froze assets that Mozes was attempting to hide totaling approximately $300k. Mozes is being ordered to pay restitution to his victims; unfortunately, that amount exceeds $700,000.00 so these victims will sadly only get a small percentage of their loss.<br /><br />Mozes was scheduled to be sentenced yesterday. However, it was postponed. WHY? Because the GREEDY PIRANHA, Christen Brown, filed a motion claiming that SHE should get 100% of the money that they recovered from her ex-husband for child and spousal support. This woman does not care AT ALL about the pain and suffering that HER company inflicted on these victims. She is so greedy and selfish that she does not want a single penny to get away.<br /><br />This is a woman who is now living in yet another multi-million dollar home (currently for sale for $2,395,000.00): <a href="http://www.michaelcalcagno.com/properties/2078LasCanoas/index.html">http://www.michaelcalcagno.com/properties/2078LasCanoas/index.html</a>Oh yes! This poor woman is really suffering without her husband! In my opinion, I am sure that plenty of the victims' life savings paves her sidewalks.<br /><br />The sentencing will now take place on Thursday, July 23rd. Deputy DA Paula Waldman will read all of the victim impact statements, and present her recommendation to the judge as to what should happen with the monies recovered from Mozes. She does not support Christen's opinion that she should get the money. For now, we will have to wait and see. If her claim is denied we are sure she will file an appeal because Ms. Greedy Piranha won't stop until she is sure she has kicked every one of the victims while they are down.<br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-22900866367690129162009-07-03T07:09:00.000-07:002009-07-03T07:10:34.349-07:00News Footage on Orson's Plea<center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QBHReYfyuKo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QBHReYfyuKo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-92058483225449047562009-07-03T06:53:00.000-07:002009-07-03T06:58:08.518-07:00Local Article on Orson's PleaAdoption scammer pleads guilty<br />By COLBY FRAZIER — July 3, 2009<br /><br /><br />A former Montecito businessman who swindled $800,000 from 59 hopeful parents through his adoption business, pleaded guilty in Superior Court yesterday to 17 felonies and a white-collar crime enhancement.<br /><br />Wearing a light-blue shirt, dark pants and a tie, with shackles around his hands and feet, the defendant, Orson Mozes, said plainly that he was guilty, and acknowledged he felt “very comfortable” with the plea bargain he had negotiated with prosecutors.<br /><br /><br />Although the man won’t be sentenced until July 14, Senior Deputy District Attorney Paula Waldman said he most likely would be sentenced to three years and four months in state prison, with three years of parole. Mozes, 57, also faces a civil lawsuit in the state of Pennsylvania that was jointly filed by 17 of the adoption scam victims. Additionally, Mozes conceded to forfeit $300,000 in cash and gold coins that were seized from his Florida home. The funds will be used to repay the victims, some of whom, Waldman said, are owed amounts as high as $75,000.<br />The prosecutor said the plea represents justice for dozens of families who, in some cases, not only were stolen from but also felt as though their own child was taken away.<br /><br />“There’s just so much heartbreak around this case …” she said. “I enjoyed hearing him say that word, ‘guilty.’”<br /><br /><br />Through his business, Adoption International Program, Waldman said Mozes would place Eastern European children up for adoption. When prospective parents would see the children’s pictures on the company’s Web site and inquire, she said Mozes would ask for money, a deposit of sorts to ensure the children weren’t offered to other parents.<br /><br />But it didn’t end there. She said Mozes would string the hopeful parents along. In many cases, victims would travel to various countries to meet their child, only to discover that someone else had adopted the child.<br /><br /><br />Even so, Mozes would apparently explain his way out of these situations, saying that other children were available and could be adopted. In at least one case, Waldman said a couple traveled abroad three separate times only to be told on each occasion that the child they had come to love already had a home.<br /><br />“He’s very smooth and makes for a very good con artist,” Waldman said. “I’m not sure how much remorse that he feels.”<br /><br /><br />Although Mozes had been in the adoption business since the 80s, Waldman said the 59 felony counts of obtaining services by false pretences occurred between 2004 and 2008.<br /><br />Those 59 felony counts all represent people who were duped out of money and never received the child they were promised. However, Waldman said 16 of the couples successfully adopted a child through Mozes, though in most cases it was never the original child they had settled on.<br />During the investigation, Norma Hansen, a District Attorney investigator, said Mozes, after hearing authorities knew about his string of fraud, pointed out he had also overseen legitimate adoptions.<br /><br /><br />After divorcing his wife in 2007, Mozes, either to get away from his former wife or realizing authorities were closing in, fled to Miami, Fla.<br /><br />While there, Mozes moved in with a woman who he said yesterday he plans to marry while in prison. Waldman said the woman allowed Mozes to move in and she even opened his bank accounts under her name.<br /><br /><br />According to court documents, Mozes was using the aliases Jack Rose and Jerry Brosse.<br />Had it not been for three arrests, one for driving without a license and two for shoplifting — Hansen said he got caught stealing candy and produce from a convenience store — it’s unclear when or if Mozes would have been caught. And even with these arrests, Miami authorities didn’t realize anything was amiss until after Mozes had been released on bail for the third time. But shortly after the third arrest, Waldman said police there realized Mozes was wanted in Santa Barbara and had been featured on the TV program America’s Most Wanted. He was arrested a short time later at his girlfriend’s apartment.<br /><br />Authorities seized $300,000, a hefty chunk of which was in gold coins, court documents show. Waldman said a trunk of cash was also taken.<br /><br />Waldman said the only hurdle to giving this money back to the people it was stolen from is Mozes’ ex-wife, who could claim some of the money belongs to her. Waldman, however, doubts any claim by the ex-wife would hold up.<br /><br /><br />But even if the entirety of the $300,000 goes to the victims, it’s still far less than Mozes took. Waldman said it’s unclear where the remainder of the funds will come from, though more civil suits could be filed.<br /><br /><br />As part of the plea agreement, Waldman said the 42 remaining felony counts levied against Mozes would be dismissed. The special allegation he pleaded guilty to was a white-collar crime enhancement, which comes into play when a person steals more than $500,000.<br /><br />Aside from the good news the plea brought victims (Waldman said she’d heard from many who felt closure and were satisfied with the terms), she said the case is sentimental for many in District Attorney’s Office.<br /><br /><br />When the office first got the case, the late DA investigator Laura Cleaves was the lead investigator. Cleaves was killed by a drunken driver in May of 2008 while driving home to the Santa Ynez Valley after a late night at work. Cleaves’s vehicle was struck by a black Mercedes near the Highway 154, Santa Ynez River over crossing.<br /><br />Waldman, choking back tears, said Cleaves was working late that night on the Mozes case.<br />“I believe that Laura is smiling right now,” she said. “The day she was killed she was working hard on this case.”<br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-50146526887823610612009-07-02T16:43:00.000-07:002009-07-02T16:44:37.283-07:00JUSTICE: Orson Pleads GUILTY!The following e-mail came from the Santa Barbara DA today:<br /><br /><em>Today around 2:30pm, Orson Mozes plead "guilty" to 17 counts of violating Penal Code section 532(a), felony obtaining money by false pretenses. He also admitted the truth of the special allegation charged under Penal Code section 186.11(a)(2), aggravated white collar crime taking over $500,000. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>On July 14, 2009 at 1:30pm in department #12, he will be sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in State Prison .</em><br /><br />I don't want to post personal details of the restitution because that is the victims' personal information, but I will say that as far as we are concerned, Orson must pay us back for our loss and the court has the assets available to distribute the restitution to his victims. This was a great relief since it was unknown if any monies would be available for restitution.<br /><br />I feel SO INCREDIBLY grateful to Laura Cleaves, Norma Hansen, and Paula Waldman for taking the pain and suffering of all of Orson's victims seriously and for seeking justice. This is a true victory. Nothing will EVER take away the pain and heartache we endured and we will NEVER stop loving and missing our boys.<br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-86728404261594220472009-03-06T17:48:00.001-08:002009-03-06T19:22:42.893-08:00Orson Extradited to CaliforniaOrson was brought back to California Thursday night and will now have to answer to the 62 felony charges against him. This video shows him stating his innocence and talking about the joy and peace he has in himself. Sickening. I hope this joy and peace comforts him in his jail cell each night.<br /><br /><center><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pqNMX5P4WMo&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pqNMX5P4WMo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ykjb18WyopI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ykjb18WyopI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-58713593884679993552009-02-01T14:20:00.001-08:002009-02-01T14:20:35.639-08:00In Case You Missed It...If you missed the show you can watch it on demand. Go to the America's Most Wanted website and there is a button that says "Watch Full Episodes". This was Episode 2219, Season 22: Ep 19. We are thankful to America's Most Wanted for a great job on this segment and all their hard work!<br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-8705925617018101022009-01-28T14:29:00.001-08:002009-01-28T14:31:24.339-08:00AMW Reminder<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxRnD5YWkhS59yR7iUj60-rTKgtNnCG6hucIWyV4P5wrtssLPdPbdjnKmeRY0hCtSvluE8E0jLM9TuLPIJuFEwTZZQPTpLQgdyzO-sCK50Iw8y6CsMqton-_Z_6ma-KsmGY_5RBCYVnI/s1600-h/amw_logo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296475562153901138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 167px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxRnD5YWkhS59yR7iUj60-rTKgtNnCG6hucIWyV4P5wrtssLPdPbdjnKmeRY0hCtSvluE8E0jLM9TuLPIJuFEwTZZQPTpLQgdyzO-sCK50Iw8y6CsMqton-_Z_6ma-KsmGY_5RBCYVnI/s320/amw_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a> The segment on Orson Mozes will air this Saturday, January 31st on FOX at 9/8C. <br /><div><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-76313450054912784062009-01-04T12:23:00.000-08:002009-01-06T12:44:55.811-08:00It happens in domestic adoption and foster care too<strong><span style="color:#993399;">Click on the title of this post to read the article.</span></strong> The article briefly mentions that private agencies are involved in the lawsuit. In case anyone is wondering which private agencies, the case header for the lawsuit is informative. The private agency names are in blue text.<br /><br />PAUL BRYAN; BONNIE BRYAN, husband and wife, individually and as parents and natural guardians on behalf of their minor child KB, and KB,<br />Appellants<br /><br />v.<br /><br />ERIE COUNTY OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES; PAUL<br />CANCILLA, individually and as an employee of Erie County Office of Children &<br />Youth; CARMEN E. MERRITT, individually and as an employee of Erie County Office of Children & Youth; RENIE SKALKO, individually and as an employee of Erie County Office of Children & Youth; CINDY BAXTER, individually and as an employee of Erie County Office of Children & Youth; CINDY LEWIS, individually and as an employee of Erie County Office of Children and Youth; BARRY KOHLER, individually and as an employee of Erie County Office of Children & Youth; BRIGITTE SULLIVAN, individually and as an employee of Erie County Office of Children & Youth; <span style="color:#3366ff;">BETHESDA CHILDREN’S HOME</span>; ELIZABETH MALLORY, individually and as an employee of Bethesda Children’s Home; COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE, WESTERN REGION OFFICE OF CHILDREN, YOUTH and FAMILIES; MICHAEL J. KAZMER, individually and as an employee of the Department of Public Welfare Western Region Office of Children Youth<br />and Families; <span style="color:#3366ff;">HARBORCREEK YOUTH SERVICES</span>; MERRITT L. KLEINER,<br />individually and as an employee of Harborcreek Youth Services; and JOHN PETULLA, individually and as an employee of Erie County Office of Children & Youth and DPW Bureau of County Children and Youth Programs<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bethesda-home.org/about/about.html">http://www.bethesda-home.org/about/about.html</a> is a Lutheran Social Services agency.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.hys-erie.org/about_us.htm">http://www.hys-erie.org/about_us.htm</a> is a Catholic agency.<br /><br />(helps to know who's who)<br /><br />To quote the legal opinion (and this is one smart judge!)<br /><br />"I simply can not agree that no reasonable juror would find that placing a known sexual abuser in a home with minor children, with no warning to the foster parents (and with reassurances), is tantamount to “deliberate indifference.” Rather, I believe a reasonable jury could quite easily conclude that such conduct “shocks the conscience.” As the Bryans quite correctly note, it is “shocking” that a “government employee would knowingly place a sexual predator into a home with a nine-year-old unsuspecting child, and give the [foster parents] a false document, which omits the predatory history of the child.”<br /><br />Bonnie has become a super friend to me over the years and I am very happy to see an injustice righted finally. There is a lot more that I know but it's not my place to share this information. Bonnie and I have a lot of common, including our private agency defendants.<br /><br />In case anyone is wondering why I posted about this lawsuit, check out who the state child welfare agency is. Same state that licensed Adoption International Program and Main Street.<br /><br />Jay P. Deratany, the attorney for the Bryans, is part of the reason IL has their Adoption Reform Act. Here are some of the provisions:<br /><br />The Act provides basic protections for families including: a Bill of Rights for Biological Parents and Adoptive Parents; assurances that agencies disclose policies, fees, and other relevant material prior to a child’s placement in advance of adoption; and requirement that the fees agencies charge are reasonable. The law further requires all child welfare organizations providing adoption services to be 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, and bands unlicensed companies from advertising adoption services in Illinois. DCFS is also required under the law to license any entity providing adoption services for compensation, and to establish a statewide adoption complaint registry.<br /><br />The statute also prohibits waivers of liability in contracts.<br /><br />Be nice if other states followed this trend. It would also be nice if IL would implement the law fully. Other than an out-of-date page on licensed adoption agencies on the IL DCFS website and agency posting annual reports on their websites (some are inaccurate when cross checked with court records stating the agency hasn't been sued when they indeed have), other protections for members of the triad are a lot of pretty words on a piece of legislation. The statewide adoption complaint registry, never started. DCFS whined they needed millions of dollars to set up a toll-free number to ring in their agency licensure department. HUH?<br /><br />IL also has a foster parent law, same tune, different words.<br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-333303818243729222009-01-02T19:47:00.001-08:002009-01-02T20:59:34.676-08:00America's Most Wanted Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBJEdYtIjV2ZPOiE8W134ZOhihgHs9hNAqY9N4XesFCRZV8rD9HIn33Vm0lFopdM7SHBE8gWSzWimcjWRapabswTmTKrYRH3COHvX8_MbRdRzZ1KwyUvi9UEw-aOToYo-inXDjD5ybMk/s1600-h/amw_logo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286909123917019362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 167px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBJEdYtIjV2ZPOiE8W134ZOhihgHs9hNAqY9N4XesFCRZV8rD9HIn33Vm0lFopdM7SHBE8gWSzWimcjWRapabswTmTKrYRH3COHvX8_MbRdRzZ1KwyUvi9UEw-aOToYo-inXDjD5ybMk/s320/amw_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a> Due to the recent capture and arrest of Orson Mozes, the segment on America's Most Wanted will now air on January 31, 2009 at 9/8 C on FOX.<br /><div></div><div><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" /></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-20535722992100076842008-12-30T17:26:00.000-08:002009-01-02T20:10:30.620-08:00Orson Mozes Captured<p><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g2ce607N-Jw&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g2ce607N-Jw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />I realize it is hard for the media to keep all of our children and time periods straight, but the ten days spent bonding with our child only refers to the time we spent with Stas. Stephen was the third child and we spent a month bonding with him.</p><p><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" /> </p>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-59811087225923765332008-12-29T14:21:00.000-08:002009-01-02T20:06:52.734-08:00A TRULY Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pmtap9WiS46olQuqP69G15IeUh5jdAOMw-HaaOYbWVmFu39BXtHPv8ISnlfgBHWMg7xPDKPLeJh4ENwIDSRtygHdsnAZ5qMiJ8qN53BME3stpVnrOAL5FNuelpRYrBLOGTksoLMzeN4/s1600-h/Orsons+Wanted+Pic.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285340960076729890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 309px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pmtap9WiS46olQuqP69G15IeUh5jdAOMw-HaaOYbWVmFu39BXtHPv8ISnlfgBHWMg7xPDKPLeJh4ENwIDSRtygHdsnAZ5qMiJ8qN53BME3stpVnrOAL5FNuelpRYrBLOGTksoLMzeN4/s320/Orsons+Wanted+Pic.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#993399;"> <strong>Click on the title of this post to read the newspaper article.</strong></span> Orson is FINALLY in JAIL!!!!!!! A tip was called into America's Most Wanted and they arrested him today in Miami. This is truly a VERY, VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!<br /><div><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" /></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-88615415344371191622008-12-28T07:52:00.000-08:002008-12-28T07:54:31.386-08:00Article on Lawsuit Against Main Street AdoptionsClick on the title of this post and it will take you to the article about the lawsuit against Main Street Adoptions. Joni Fixel is the attorney handling the case :)<br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-35767160505198725552008-12-27T10:13:00.000-08:002008-12-27T10:14:14.143-08:00Video on Orson Mozes<p align="center"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eOHJ-mywtbQ&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eOHJ-mywtbQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-65226006493974602882008-12-26T16:18:00.000-08:002008-12-26T16:20:51.730-08:00More Orson Mozes Press: Naples News<strong>One of ‘America’s Most Wanted’ may have slipped through Collier’s legal system</strong><br /><br />By RYAN MILLSOriginally published 05:46 p.m., December 26, 2008Updated 05:46 p.m., December 26, 2008<br /><br />NAPLES — Authorities are investigating whether a fugitive featured on the television program “America’s Most Wanted” was arrested in Collier County in November, but then bonded out and slipped away before anyone knew his true identity.<br /><br />Norma Hansen, a criminal investigator for the district attorney’s office in Santa Barbara, Calif., said she has evidence that 57-year-old Orson Mozes, who is wanted in California on 62 counts of theft by false pretenses for running an international adoption scam, was arrested in Collier County on Nov. 15 using the alias “Jack Rose.” The Florida Highway Patrol made the arrest.<br />Rose was charged with possession of a forged or stolen driver license and driving without a license, but posted an $8,000 bond and skipped town before his court appearance.<br /><br />Hansen said Mozes was then arrested twice in Miami-Dade County, in mid-December using the alias Jerry Brosse, but bonded out and slipped away each time.<br /><br />“Our sheriff’s department’s warrants bureau got a call from the Miami-Dade warrants bureau saying, ‘We had this guy in custody on the 21st, but he bailed out,’” Hansen said.<br /><br />The aliases “Jack Rose” and “Jerry Brosse” are showing up on Mozes’ criminal history, Hansen said.<br /><br />A warrant for Mozes’ arrest was signed on April 1, in Santa Barbara. According to an affidavit, Mozes operated an international adoption agency, Adoption International Program, from his California mansion.<br />He told prospective parents that he could “hold” children for them in foreign countries, primarily Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Russia. The prospective parents then sent the agency a fee, generally between $7,000 and $11,000, to “hold” the child, the affidavit said.<br /><br />After paying, a majority of the parents were told “Your child is no longer available,” reports said. On at least 10 occasions Mozes promised the same child to multiple adoptive parents, investigators said.<br /><br />The affidavit lists 62 victims with an estimated loss of more than $1 million.<br />Paula Cade, a paralegal for the Michigan law firm handling the civil lawsuit against Adoption International Program, said Mozes was illegally posting photos of Kazakhstan children on Web sites.<br /><br />“Somebody would see child number 47 and they’d say ‘I want to adopt child 47,’” Cade said. “Six or seven people wanted to adopt child 47, and Orson took money from all these people.”<br /><br />Mozes “disappeared” in June 2007, according to the affidavit. His ex-wife told authorities he took $500,000 at the time he “took off.”<br /><br />He was featured on America’s Most Wanted in August.<br /><br />“We had no idea where he was, if he was even still alive,” Hansen said.<br />Around 6 p.m. on Nov. 14, Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Roberto Castilla pulled over a white, four-door Mazda traveling at 85 mph in a 70 mph zone in the westbound lanes of Interstate 75 near the Collier toll plaza, according to an arrest report.<br /><br />The driver handed Castilla a California license with the name “Jack Rose.” He said he was “heading to Tampa to see his girlfriend’s father,” reports said.<br />The license didn’t check out, however, coming back to a Manruque Bucio Torres. When asked for another form of identification, the driver handed over a Social Security card that also didn’t check out, coming back to a Miguel Rico, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.<br /><br />The driver was arrested and booked into the Collier County jail.<br />He posted bond and was released instead of appearing before a judge. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest after he failed to show at his Dec. 8 court date.<br />“We had no control over the FHP establishing a bond for him,” said Jim Williams, chief of investigations for the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. “If the trooper established a bond for him, as soon as he is able to make that bond ... he’s free to go.”<br /><br />Williams said the Sheriff’s Office does not set bond for charges a driver is arrested on, instead requiring an appearance before a judge to buy time to determine the driver’s identity.<br /><br />When reached on his cell phone Friday, Florida Highway Patrol spokesman, Lt. Chris Miller, said he was unaware of the arrest. He said it would only be second guessing to say how Castilla identified the driver of the Mazda.<br /><br />“If the arresting officer felt like he had identified that individual, then he would go by the bond schedule,” Miller said, referring to standard bond procedures.<br />Williams said he believes the Mazda driver’s fingerprints were run through the Sheriff’s Office’s computer databases, and were not flagged. He said the Sheriff’s Office is working with state and federal authorities to determine if Jack Rose is, in fact, Orson Mozes.<br /><br />“It potentially could be,” Williams said. “He’s got numerous AKAs, but we need to have confirmation of fingerprints from the FBI that it is who we think it is.”<br />Because Mozes’ previous arrest record is from the 1970s, authorities said it is possible his fingerprints are not in automated databases.<br /><br />“How did they let him bond out without determining who he really was?” Cade asked. “That’s what bothers me about this. That’s what bothers a lot of my clients, too.”<br /><br />Anyone with information about Orson Mozes’ whereabouts is asked to contact their local authorities, or America’s Most Wanted confidential hotline at 1-800-CRIME-TV.<br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-43239983592762104912008-12-26T07:17:00.000-08:002008-12-26T07:21:26.007-08:00Orson Mozes Arrested in Florida - and RELEASED - TWICE!!!<strong>Crime Tracker Alert: Most Wanted Criminal in SWFL?<br /></strong>Posted: Dec 24, 2008 9:44 PM EST<br />Dec 24, 2008 09:44 PM EST<br />Updated: Dec 26, 2008 8:09 AM EST<br />Dec 26, 2008 08:09 AM EST<br /><br />On Fox's "America's Most Wanted," John Walsh tracks fugitives. But not everyone is brought to justice, like Orson Mozes. He's wanted in Santa Barbara County, California for running an adoption scam and stealing at least a million dollars from dozens of innocent people.<br /><br />"I don't think any words could give it justice," says Dawn DeLorenzo of New Jersey. She says she's one of Mozes' victims. "We first came into contact with Orson Mozes when we decided in April of 2006, after a few unsuccessful fertility treatments, to look into adoption," explains DeLorenzo. Dawn and her husband say they gave Mozes' agency over $26,000 in fees to adopt three orphans overseas in Kazakhstan. The couple went abroad and spent thousands more, but never got their money's worth. The adoptions fell through and so did their dreams. "You start imagining your future together with that child," laments DeLorenzo.<br /><br />So where is Orson Mozes? "He's most likely somewhere in Florida," says Criminal Investigator Norma Hansen of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office. More Specifically, he could be somewhere in South Florida or Southwest Florida. "Up until a couple of days ago we weren't even really sure if he was alive or still in the country," explains Hansen. Using the alias "Jack Rose," Hansen discovered Mozes was arrested in Collier County in November for having a fake driver's license and fake social security number. Despite his felony warrant in Santa Barbara County, he was able to bond out and walk the streets. Hansen says she doesn't know how he was able to slip through the fingers of law enforcement. "Not being law enforcement in Florida, I don't know what the procedure is before someone's released- if they check their fingerprints."<br />Investigator Hansen also found out Mozes was arrested just last Sunday in Miami for petty theft. Just like Collier County he was able to bond out of jail.<br />Hansen says, "It's very frustrating for me, but more so for all the victims."<br /><br />As for Dawn DeLorenzo, she has mixed feelings. She explains, "We're very happy to know that he's still in the country. (But) disappointed that for some reason he was allowed to go. I don't know what happened there- who dropped the ball, but I'm sure that they're going to get him."<br /><br />If you see Orson Mozes or know his whereabouts, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office wants you to call police immediately. He is not considered armed or dangerous. He is considered a flight risk.<br /><br />Posted By: Rosemary Connors<br /><a href="mailto:rconnors@fox4now.com">rconnors@fox4now.com</a><br /><br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-44797841669805622472008-12-13T17:38:00.000-08:002008-12-13T17:42:07.703-08:00Lisa Novak GUILTY: A Victory for All PAPs & APsThis is a true victory for all PAPs (and APs) who were lied to, mistreated, and victimized by their adoption agency. I believe the message is becoming loud and clear: You cannot use orphans to bilk people of their money, their dreams, and their sanity! This woman deserves EVERYTHING that is happening to her ~ and more! I think there are many more guilty verdicts in the future! <br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-35961087009819772262008-12-09T16:00:00.000-08:002008-12-09T16:05:49.323-08:00Jury Begins Deliberations in Novak Trial (Claar Foundation)By <a href="http://www.dailycamera.com/staff/heath-urie/">Heath Urie</a> (<a class="contactlink" href="http://www.dailycamera.com/staff/heath-urie/contact/">Contact</a>)<br />Originally published 08:00 a.m., December 9, 2008 Updated 01:46 p.m., December 9, 2008<br /><br />The fate of a former Erie trustee accused of stealing money from prospective parents who used her former Boulder-based adoption agency is now in the hands of a jury.<br /><br />Lisa Novak, 48, began her trial on multiple theft and fraud charges last Monday. The trial was expected to last up to 12 days, however Novak's defense attorney, Lance Goff, did not call any witnesses and both sides were able to rest their cases on Monday.<br /><br />Novak did not take the stand in her own defense. Her attorney told jurors that Novak's company policy was clear that fees from prospective parents were not refundable.<br /><br />Prosecutor Michael Foote began his closing arguments Tuesday by telling the jury that the trial has been "sad."<br /><br />“This trial was a sad one to sit through for many different reasons," he said. "It was sad to see someone like Lisa Novak stoop so low on so many occasions. It was sad to see so many of her clients betrayed."<br /><br />Foote said Novak lied to clients.<br /><br />“All they wanted to do was to bring a child into their family," he said. "Instead, they had to deal with Ms. Novak who was deceptive and manipulative all the way.”<br /><br />Foote said Novak was the "president, CEO and accountant" of Claar Foundation, and that she was responsible for the decisions of the company.<br /><br />Novak cannot hide behind a "corporate shield," he said.<br />Foote told the jury that Novak took her clients' money to sustain her own paycheck, knowing she could not return it or deliver on promises to hopeful families.<br /><br />“Ms. Novak refuses to take responsibility for that manipulation," Foote said.<br /><br />"Somebody needs to stand up and tell Ms. Novak this is wrong.”<br /><br />“She won't do it herself. Ladies and gentlemen, that someone, is you.”<br /><br />Novak's attorney, Lance Goff, began to deliver his closing arguments shortly after 12:20 p.m.<br /><br />“This is a business failure case," Goff told the jury. “Every business that fails will be left with creditors. Every one of the complainants in this case is a creditor or potential creditor of Claar Foundation.”<br /><br />Goff said all the clients who signed on with Novak's former company agreed to certain policies, including that refunding money was never an option.<br /><br />“Claar Foundation's fee policy is very clear," Goff said. "All fees paid are for services rendered and are non-refundable.”<br /><br />The panel of jurors were sent to deliberate Novak's fate beginning at 1:30 p.m.<br />Novak faces nine counts of theft and one count of fraud by check.<br /><br />Novak is suspected of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from parents hoping to adopt children from other countries. Her former Boulder-based Claar Foundation is at the center of the allegations, with prosecutors saying she used the foundation to help settle a lawsuit brought by her brother.<br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-33226304684922388572008-12-09T15:54:00.000-08:002008-12-09T15:58:08.459-08:00Focus on Children Defendants to Plead GuiltyBy Pamela Manson<br />The Salt Lake Tribune<br />December 09, 2009<br /><br />Former operators and employees of a Wellsville adoption agency accused of fraud in connection with the adoptions of Samoan children are expected to enter guilty pleas in the case.<br /><br />In a hearing Tuesday afternoon before U.S. District Judge David Sam in Salt Lake City, a prosecutor and defense attorneys for the Focus on Children defendants say they are working out the final details on plea deals for five of the seven defendants in the case.<br /><br />The judge scheduled hearings for Jan. 6, when plea negotiations are expected to be complete. Four defendants -- Karen Banks, Scott Banks, Coleen Bartlett and Karalee Thornock -- are slated to enter guilty pleas at a morning hearing. The fifth defendant, Dan Wakefield, will appear at an afternoon hearing.<br /><br />The U.S. government has been unable to extradite the other two defendants, Samoan citizens Tagaloa Ieti and Julie Tuiletufuga, and they are not part of these negotiations.<br /><br />The lawyers involved in the case declined to give details of the plea agreements.<br />A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City issued a 135-count indictment in 2007 charging the defendants with fraud and immigration violations.<br /><br />The indictment claimed the Focus on Children workers duped parents in Samoa into giving the agency their children, falsely saying they would return to them when they turned 18.<br /><br />In addition, prospective adoptive parents in the United States allegedly were falsely told that the youngsters were orphans.<br /><br />U.S. immigration laws required the children to be orphans, defined as abandoned by both parents or left with one parent who cannot provide care.<br />The alleged conspiracy involved about 80 children.<br /><br />The defendants all pleaded not guilty. Lawyers for the Bankses, who operated Focus on Children, said four of Samoa's most prestigious attorneys had given sworn affidavits describing how Samoan birth parents were repeatedly told they were giving up legal rights to their children and should not expect to see them again.<br /><br />Focus on Children ceased operations in Utah in the summer of 2007.<br /><a href="mailto:pmanson@sltrib.com">pmanson@sltrib.com</a><br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-86522856148314535622008-12-08T12:50:00.000-08:002008-12-08T12:57:32.650-08:00America's Most Wanted Airing Sat. 1/3/2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgGzbzdrkG_YANseblm6wUV45YglMijb2ue0BTjrbpPM3miOqHaXwiNNW6Y_8TPLivBMQfqWHUTz51VM76LiLcukwjUAxyxjf32KfWzMNlxwDAS7biwywzUsJhdPX6-3WvqNlBvLhuek/s1600-h/amw_logo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277524994562090130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 167px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgGzbzdrkG_YANseblm6wUV45YglMijb2ue0BTjrbpPM3miOqHaXwiNNW6Y_8TPLivBMQfqWHUTz51VM76LiLcukwjUAxyxjf32KfWzMNlxwDAS7biwywzUsJhdPX6-3WvqNlBvLhuek/s320/amw_logo.jpg" border="0" /></a>So, the America's Most Wanted piece about Orson will air on Saturday, January 3rd at 9/8 C on FOX. You have to check your local listings to see what channel it shows on in your area. God willing, someone will know where the scumbag is and call in.<br /><div></div><div></div><div><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" /></div>Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736473555682859282.post-22347555641217145612008-12-03T18:54:00.000-08:002008-12-03T18:59:06.572-08:00Sue Hedberg ~ More Scum in the International Adoption Pond<strong>Oviedo agency faces multiple complaints</strong><br />By Amanda Welch December 03, 2008<br /><br />OVIEDO - Minnesota couple Mike and Lesley Harmoning spent an emotionally draining five years trying to have a child before they decided to adopt.<br />In September 2007 they chose Celebrate Children International, a Christian international adoption agency in Oviedo, to handle the adoption. Harmoning said everything ran like clockwork - at first.<br /><br />By January 2007 they were sent pictures of their newborn daughter Daphne, a Guatemalan infant. By March, they had visited Daphne in her home country, and in April, the adoption was reviewed by the Guatemalan attorney general's office, the Procuradur a General de la Nacion, or PGN.<br /><br />But then Harmoning found out there were problems. They were told by CCI that their case had been sent back later that month, but that the corrections were made and their case was re-submitted to the PGN in May.<br /><br />In e-mails Harmoning kept from CCI, the adoption agency told her the case had been rejected from PGN again in June. And then again in August. And again in September. When October came around with no word from CCI, Harmoning said she began to wonder.<br /><br />"It was really just like this gut instinct that something's not right here," she said. "They're not being up front with me. They're not sharing information without me asking."<br /><br />It took nearly a year from the first time Mike and Lesley Harmoning saw pictures of their daughter Daphne before the adoption was finalized. And they're not the only couple to complain about how Oviedo CCI handled their case.<br /><br />During October last year, the Florida Department of Children and Families' central region licensing office received 10 other anonymous complaints about CCI. They were taken by DCF's lead licensing specialist, Amy Hammett, and obtained by the Chronicle through a public records request.<br /><br />Besides the Harmonings, three other families from the file have confirmed their documented stories with the Chronicle, but wanted to remain anonymous.<br />Hammett conducted investigations at CCI's office on Oct. 26 and Oct. 30 of last year. She interviewed CCI's director, Sue Hedberg, to address complaints about the length of the adoption process, the contractual restraints, Hedberg's income, and the use of psychological evaluations as scare tactics to force inquisitive clientele to quiet down.<br /><br />Because the complainants requested anonymity, Hammett said she had to rely heavily on her interviews with CCI director Sue Hedberg. The result was one-sided findings that were almost wholly attributed to Hedberg. Hammett did recommend that CCI improve its record keeping and communication with clientele.<br /><br />The Harmoning family filed a complaint against CCI after a series of events. Because of the contract they signed with the agency, the only contact the Harmonings had up to that point was with CCI.<br /><br />CCI's adoption contract does not allow adopting parents to contact anyone overseas without the adoption agency's consent. This restraint, the contract explained, was to prevent miscommunications and inaccurate information from crossing borders.<br /><br />Harmoning said she called the PGN anyway and was told that the case had not been re-submitted since May.<br /><br />In e-mails, she confronted CCI with this information. The adoption agency's e-mailed response admonished Harmoning for breaching contract, warning her that because of her "anger," that, "there may be some extra steps warranted before completing this adoption."<br /><br />CCI's contract also allowed the agency to request extra measures at its discretion, such as parenting classes and psychological evaluations.<br />"That's when I was devastated," she said. "I'm thinking, 'Something is wrong with my case ... I don't know when my daughter is coming home.'"<br /><br />So the Harmonings hired an independent organization to check on their case. In an e-mail sent to the Harmonings on Oct. 15, 2007, the organization, Adoption Supervisors, confirmed that the case had not been re-submitted to the PGN since May.<br /><br />That month, Harmoning filed her complaint against CCI with DCF, becoming one of the 10 that sparked the investigation.<br /><br />The extent to which DCF can control adoption agencies relies on Florida statutes and DCF administrative code, which address virtually nothing about international adoption and is being updated for the first time in 15 years.<br />DCF spokeswoman Sarrah Troncoso said DCF hopes to make Florida compliant with the Hague Adoption Convention, which set standards to prevent human trafficking, abuse, pay-offs and profiting in international adoption.<br /><br />In January of this year, Guatemala stopped all new adoptions to the U.S. indefinitely because the U.S. is not compliant with the Hague Convention.<br />There is no entity that oversees the adoptions from beginning to end. Instead, various agencies, such as DCF, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy, assume responsibility for different parts of the process.<br /><br />The broken-up system has thus become prone to children falling through the cracks, as with Maria Fernanda and her younger sister, Ana Christina.<br />Earlier this year, an anonymous complainant accused CCI of nearly adopting out the two girls, who had been stolen from their mother, according to Guatemalan press and the complainant's account.<br /><br />The girls had since been given back to their mother, but the complaint spurred a second investigation of CCI on April 14. Hammett found that the girls were the Guatemalan government's responsibility, but that CCI had once again been negligent in record keeping and communication.<br /><br />Although DCF controls licensing for Florida adoption agencies, Hammett said there was not enough evidence to warrant suspending or revoking CCI's license.<br />But if DCF adopts standards set by the Hague Convention, CCI could be shut down.<br /><br />The state department designated an independent organization, the Council on Accreditation, to determine which U.S. adoption agencies are compliant with the Hague Convention. Of the more than 200 adoption agencies that the COA has thus examined, only 18 were denied accreditation, COA president and CEO Richard Klarberg said.<br /><br />CCI was denied in May. The COA was not able to release the details of CCI's denial, but Klarberg said agencies are denied when there is "clear and convincing" evidence that they have violated conditions set by the Hague convention, regarding the adoptability of children.<br /><br />If DCF requires international adoption agencies to be Hague-accredited, then non-accredited agencies, such as CCI, will have to cease international adoptions.<br />CCI has facilitated 1,200 adoptions, Hedberg said.<br /><br />During a September phone interview, Hedberg was aggravated with the complaints and the accreditation denial. She said that the government exerting more control over international adoptions will deprive needy children of homes in the U.S.<br /><br />"I know we are doing a wonderful thing," Hedberg said.<br /><br />DCF is currently reviewing its code and hopes to propose changes to a reform committee in January, spokeswoman Troncoso said.<br /><br />Its Central Florida licensing office is now investigating another CCI complaint about money mismanagement.<br /><br />Daphne has been at home in Minnesota for almost a year, but Lesley Harmoning no longer communicates with CCI. She still believes she was lied to during those five months last year.<br /><br />"Sue [Hedberg] to this day will not say that's how it happened," Harmoning said. "She tells me my case was in there the whole time, and I'm wrong about this."<br /><img src="http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r278/splitdecisionz/cribs%20crimes%20corruption/sig.png" border="0" />Dawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07193871656856690097noreply@blogger.com2