William E. and Media V. Adams
In Memorium

Elder Abuse - A Case History

Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult

This is a Case History of the financial exploitation of Media V. Adams , an 86 year old widow, by her daughter, Leona Ramona Kemper (aka Ramona B. Kemper), who converted her mother's assets to herself through manipulation, misrepresentation and deceit. Media was left heartbroken and impoverished when she died in December, 1998. This information is offered to try to prevent other such cases.

Media was the widow of William Emmert Adams (W.E., Emmert or 'Tommy' as he was known). They had two children; Ramona and Robert. Mr. Adams was a retired manager of Central Iowa Power Co-op (CIPCO), of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and former manager of Macon Electric Co-op, of Macon, Missouri.

Mr. Adams was a pioneer in Rural Electrification. He became manager of Macon Electric Co-op shortly after it was created in 1938, later becoming manager of Central Iowa Power Co-op (CIPCO) in 1957. He continued to work there until his retirement. Afterward, through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), Mr. and Mrs. Adams were sent overseas with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) where Mr. Adams assisted with international rural electrification efforts in the Philippines and in The Republic of the Gambia, (Africa).

After returning to the United States, Mr. Adams was diagnosed with prostate cancer. While receiving treatment they spent their time in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Lakewood, Colorado, Lancaster, Missouri, and enjoyed winters in Sun City, Arizona. Knowing his health was beginning to fail, Mr. Adams sold the family home in Cedar Rapids, Media's parent's farm in Glenwood, Missouri, and later, their house in Lancaster, Missouri, and moved the contents of these houses (antiques, heirlooms, family heritage items, and household goods) to Colorado with a large cargo trailer he had purchased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Adams were lifelong collectors, accumulating a huge quantity of antique china, silver, antique radios, and other memorabilia from their parents, and their travels.

Mr. Adams' illness became acute in May, 1996, and Robert flew to Arizona. With Media and Robert at his side, Mr. Adams died in Sun City, in May, 1996. Ramona refused to come, saying "I've seen people die before."

Afterwards, Media chose to live in Sun City until her death in December, 1998. Mr. Adams, as was traditional during his time, had taken care of all financial matters during their marriage, and Media was unable to balance her own checkbook. Media asked Robert and his wife to handle her financial affairs.

Media was not a wealthy woman, but was living on her social security and a very small pension from Central Iowa Power Co-op. However, she did have a reasonable savings account to provide for her advancing years. There were other possessions (antiques, china, silver, furniture, and an antique radio collection) that could be sold when she needed funds.

Media's daughter, Ramona Kemper holds an Associate of Arts (two-year) degree (Class of 1959) from Stephens College of Columbia, Missouri, and is active in the Stephens alumni association (Denver Alumnae Club). Ramona formerly worked as a legal secretary for a number of years and considered becoming a paralegal. She lives in Lakewood, Colorado, where she and her husband, Roger Kemper, own and operate two companies:

Unknown to the family, Media became severely ill and mentally vulnerable during the summer of 1998. In July, Robert and his wife were helping Media to prepare to vacate the Colorado house and place the contents in storage. Because of the illness and the memories associated with her possessions, Media became emotionally distraught and the effort was discontinued. Media became convinced that some of her possessions were missing - although most were later found.

Taking advantage of her mother's illness and the rift that had developed between Media and her son, Mrs. Kemper manipulated her mother into giving up control of all her assets during August, September and October, 1998.

Mrs. Kemper began during August 1998, by 'helping' Media move her possessions from the house she had been renting in Lakewood, Colorado. Ramona admits moving Media's household goods, and providing or otherwise arranging storage. However, she denies she retained any of the possessions, claiming that in September and October, this 86 year-old lady, with serious eye disease (macrodegeneration), who could not read nor operate a phone without a magnifying glass, could not drive more than a few blocks (she couldn't see street signs), who could not balance a checkbook, and who was living in Arizona, contacted Colorado auction companies 800 miles away by herself, sold (or gave away) all her cherished Colorado possessions - including heirloom antiques from grandparents and family heritage items for cash, then spent all the cash - without a trace! Ramona's absurd claim is contradicted by Media's own words. In November, 1998, Media stated, "... she (Media) still had a lot of belongings to store. She said she has some of her things at Ramona's house, in the cargo trailer and in a warehouse where Ramona's husband works."

The cargo trailer (containing family heirloom antiques) was removed from the Lakewood, Colorado property by Ramona and family while moving Media's household goods. Although registered to Mr. Adams, Ramona kept the trailer (and contents), and after Media's death, began claiming it was another "gift". Later, she produced a copy of a phony document (created on a photocopy machine) that purportedly gave her the trailer. In other words, Ramona stole the cargo trailer from the estate.

Ramona used the pretext that her brother (Robert) was stealing from their mother. Ramona convinced Media that only she (Ramona) should determine how the estate should be divided - by deducting (from his share) the amounts Robert had 'stolen' or 'borrowed' from the estate. Since Media had to be "protected" from her son, Ramona then converted all Media's assets to herself.

In Ramona's own words in a letter to the Attorney General's Office, "It was not my intention to enrich myself at her (Media's) expense. I, along with my husband (Roger Kemper) and Mr. Jaros (Ramona's Denver Lawyer), were of the opinion that she was in need of protection.......".

Working with Phoenix attorney James Benham, Ramona facilitated creating a living trust, which effectively converted ownership of Media's home in Sun City to herself. Then, with help from her Denver Attorney, Robert E. Jaros (pictured below), pressured Media into signing an amendment which converted it into an irrevocable trust, with Ramona as trustee and sole recipient. Mr. Jaros stated in a letter dated December 3, 1998, "At Ms. Kemper's request , I had prepared and transmitted a document amending the Media Adams Revocable Trust. The effect of the amendment was to make the trust irrevocable and was prepared with the understanding that Ms. Kemper feared that her mother was being taken advantage of by her son, Robert Adams".

It seems Mr. Jaros had no ethical problem with providing Ramona with the means to steal Media's assets. Of course, Ramona used the pretext that Robert was trying to steal the estate from Media, and Ramona did not reveal all her actions (or her full intentions) to any of the attorneys involved.

Ramona also convinced a trusting and vulnerable Mother to transfer Media's lifetime savings account to herself by claiming this was necessary before Ramona could pay Media's bills. Media stated that Ramona assured her that whatever was left over after her death, would be shared equally with Robert. In a deposition taken after Media's death, Ramona strongly denied making this statement.

While Media was still alive (November/December, 1998), Ramona (through her attorney Robert E. Jaros ) stated this money was held for the trust of Media Adams. In Mr. Jaros' letter to the Attorney General's Office on December 3, 1998, it is clear that Ramona had convinced him the money was to be placed into the trust. In his own words, "....and assured myself that she (Media) understood that the money she had recently transferred to Ms. Kemper (the Bank Midwest account) would be returned to the trust." Naturally, it wasn't returned.

After Media's death (December 1998), Ramona began to claim the bank account was an outright 'gift' to her - contradicting her own words and those of her attorney. In a letter dated December 4, 1998 to the Attorney General's Office, Ramona stated: "It was always my understanding that this money would be for the benefit of Media Adams during her lifetime and would only be applied for her benefit."

After Media's death, Ramona immediately demanded all Media's assets and worldly goods, and Robert was to receive nothing from the estate.

When Robert became aware of Ramona's actions (in early November 1998), Ramona had taken virtually all of Media's money. Media was left impoverished with less than $500 to her name. She was completely dependent on Ramona for her expenses, and was without enough funds to hire an attorney to protect herself. Media was finally able to find a remarkable attorney ( Mr. William G. Beyer of Sun City), who realized Ramona had taken advantage of her, agreed to postpone his fee, then did his best to help Media overturn Ramona's actions. Unfortunately, Media had only a few days to live.

After Ramona's actions were discovered, she avoided further contact with Media. Even as Media was nearing death, Ramona refused to visit her mother. On her deathbed in the hospice facility, Media violently lashed out at Ramona for what she had done. She wouldn't rest until assured that Ramona's actions had been defeated. She begged everyone present to make sure that Ramona wouldn't get away with what she had done. With these last coherent words, she cursed Ramona's name. After that, she no longer spoke, and, with Robert at her side, died shortly afterwards.

When Media died, Ramona was in sole possession of all Media's money, but refused to release any of the funds to pay for the funeral. Robert paid for the funeral out of his own pocket, and Ramona refused to attend.

It is clear that Ramona was more interested in Media's money and possessions than in paying her last respects. On the first possible business day following Media's death, Ramona flew to Phoenix and filed an old will (which disinherited Robert) with the Maricopa County Probate Court. Ignoring a notice on the door of Media's house that Robert was the designated Personal Representative (implying a later will), Ramona hired a locksmith, entered and took possession of the house and contents. A later inventory revealed that everything with any significant value (antique china and furniture) is now missing - stolen by Ramona.

Arizona Attorney General's Interview
Media Adams' Own Words

In early November, 1998, before Media died, Robert became suspicious of Ramona's actions. After he investigated, Ramona's activities were uncovered and he filed an elder abuse complaint with the Arizona Attorney General's Office. On November 19, 1998, Media was interviewed by Patty Rustenburg, an investigator with the Arizona Attorney General's Office, Elder Affairs Program at Media's residence at 9051 Balboa Drive, Sun City, Arizona. An extract of that interview follows:

"Adams said after her husband's diagnosis (of prostate cancer), her daughter, Ramona, was constantly trying to get her father to name her on a POA (Power of Attorney). Adams said her husband would never let Ramona have POA because he did not trust her and did not like the way she did business. Adams said her husband emphasized to her not to let Ramona have POA at any time."

"Adams said after her husband's death, her daughter accused her son Robert) of being a thief and a liar. She said at that time, she switched the names on that account (bank checking account) from Ramona to her son (Robert) and his wife. She said Ramona was very upset about being taken off the account so Ramona removed all of the documents from Adams' safe deposit box at a bank in Colorado. Adams said her daughter did not speak to her for 2 1/2 years after that. She also said Ramona has not returned any of the documents she removed other than the deed to Adams' Sun City home. Adams said Ramona accused her brother of taking the documents."

"In August 1998, Adams began moving her possessions out of the house she was renting from her son in Colorado. She said she was diagnosed with a fatal disease which requires blood transfusions every two weeks and a variety of medications. She said her expenses were higher than her income, so she had to move her possessions to a cheaper location. She said she was assisted by Ramona, Ramona's husband and several men she worked with. She said she was trying to divide her possessions among the family, but still had a lot of belongings to store. She said she has some of her things at Ramona's house, in a cargo trailer and in a warehouse where Ramona's husband works."

"Adams said following her diagnosis, Ramona came to visit her twice at her Sun City home. She said her first visit was approximately September 14, 1998, immediately following her first transfusion. She said after she got out of the hospital, Ramona took her to (Phoenix Attorney) James Benham's office to draft a Living Trust. She said Ramona convinced her that Robert, Adams' son had enough money and to write him out of her will. She said Ramona informed her that her son owed money to her from a business deal he did with his father, prior to his death. She said attorney Benham was recommended by an engineer her husband worked with. She said she felt very ill while at the attorney's office and she did not know what he was drafting. She said she felt terrible she was excluding her son, but she said Ramona convinced her he had enough money. She said she wanted to divide everything equally between her two kids."

"On Ramona's second visit, Adams said Ramona brought papers for her to sign. She said she also received a telephone call from Ramona's attorney in Colorado (Robert E. Jaros ) stating she had to sign an irrevocable living trust. Adams said the attorney said she had no other alternatives. She said she signed it not knowing what the document meant. She said her best judgment told her not to sign because she did not want to exclude Robert, but the attorney convinced her she had to sign. Adams said Ramona told her she would send Adams copies of the trust, but she has not received any as of this date. Adams said she also had an oral agreement with Ramona that she would work with Robert and share everything equally. She said she trusted Ramona not to exclude Robert."

"During that visit, Adams said she also turned over a $xxxxx (bank) account to Ramona. She said she gave her the account based on Ramona's promise that she would use the interest earned on the account to pay Adams' bills and then split what funds were left between Ramona and her brother."

"In addition, she said Ramona called her every day between her visits to request she be given POA for Adams. She said she (Media) did not want to, but Ramona convinced Adams to make her POA."

"On November 3, 1998, Adams said she was visited by her son. She said she tried to tell him what happened, but only had a vague idea of what Ramona had her sign. Adams told him to call Ramona and have her explain since she agreed to work with Robert and divide everything equally. She said when Robert called, Ramona told him it was "none of his business" and refused to explain what Adams signed."

"Adams said she went to Benham's office with her son, so he could explain what happened. She said they had a conference call with her, her son and Benham in Phoenix and Ramona and her attorney ( Robert E. Jaros) in Colorado. She said Ramona's attorney agreed she should not have signed the Irrevocable Living Trust without knowing what she was signing."

"Adams said she left the office with the impression Benham was going to void the Trust. She said the only correspondence she received from Benham was a telephone call on November 18, 1998 informing her Ramona was not cooperating and would not relinquish her interest in the Trust. She said he had other information for her, but she did not understand the legal terms he discussed. She recommended contacting him at (602) 254-6044. Adams said she has no idea what the value of the Trust is. She said she never took care of the finances. She said she is very concerned because she does not want to spend a lot of money on an attorney. She said she has a lot of expenses because of her illness and she thinks Benham is not acting fast enough. Adams said she is willing to pursue prosecution of her daughter if the Trust is not overturned and if her documents from her safe deposit box are not returned."

Current Update

After a lengthy legal battle in Arizona Probate Court, a settlement agreement was ordered by the court. The primary assets (the Sun City house, and the savings account) converted by Ramona, were returned to the estate, to be divided equally between Robert and Ramona - as Mr. Adams and Media originally intended. Each heir agreed to provide a list of Media's property taken from the Colorado house or the Sun City house. Robert provided a list of property as required, and also included a list of property (the heirlooms and household goods from Colorado) removed by his sister. Ramona failed to provide the required list by the deadline. Only when prompted by the third-party ficuciary, did she submit a list. However she did not list any property removed by her, and claimed she possessed no estate property. Her list consisted of accusations of property alledgedly taken by her brother, and unsupported claims that Robert has stolen from the house in Colorado.

In Media's last will written just before her death in December, 1998, she confirms that Ramona was in possession and/or control of thousands of dollars of estate property.

An interesting postscript: On February 20, 2003 (at the time this estate was finally settled), Ramona & Roger Kemper purchased an additional house at 103 Grandview Circle in Mead, Colorado for $354,500 - while keeping their old house. The source of their new-found afluence is unknown..... Perhaps they won the lottery?

In a letter to the Arizona Attorney General's office on December 4, 1998, Ramona stated, "My brother's (Robert Adams) complaint makes me look like a victimizing, opportunistic and predatory individual who is taking advantage of her elderly mother."

If the shoe fits...... Ramona Kemper's actions clearly speak for her.

Roger and Ramona Kemper
Converted Media Adams' assets to themselves

"The Moving Finger writes; and having writ,
"Moves on; nor all your Piety nor Wit
"Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
"Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it."

"Indeed the Idols I have loved so long
"Have done my Credit in Men's Eye much wrong:
"Have drown'd my Honour in a shallow Cup,
"And sold my Reputation for a Song."
Omar Khayyam, The Rubaiyat


Robert E. Jaros - Ramona's Denver Attorney
Assisted Ramona in converting Media's assets

Financial Exploitation of Media Adams
A Brief Summary

Until 1998 - Last Will and Testament. Mrs. Adams Last Will and Testament specified her estate to be divided equally between her two children - until Ms. Kemper intervened.

20 June 1997 Ms. Kemper removes contents of Mrs. Adams' Safety Deposit Box. Mrs. Adams' Safety Deposit Box found empty (witnessed) on this date. Approximately 50 legal documents removed by Ms. Kemper and kept in her possession. Signature record confirms only Ms. Kemper accessed the box on multiple occasions just prior. Ms. Kemper refuses to return documents.

8 August 1998 Ms. Kemper removes contents of Mrs. Adams' Colorado house. Ms. Kemper, with employees and family, over several days, and with the permission of Mrs. Adams, remove contents of Mrs. Adams' rented Lakewood, Colorado house. Admitted in writing by Ms. Kemper. Moving completed by 30 August 1998. All items placed in possession of Ms. Kemper. Stored in Kemper's warehouse, Kemper's rental storage unit, and with her ex-husband, Mr. Benedict. Consisted of many antiques and family heirlooms (photographs available). Later claims all contents disposed of through sale, auction or gifts. No trace of property, or proceeds from sales found.

14 September 1998 Mrs. Adams diagnosed with fatal blood disease. Diagnosed with severe Aplastic Anemia, she was admitted to hospital for multiple transfusions, and not released until 17 September 1998. Doctor advises Ms. Kemper that disease will develop into fatal Leukemia. Mrs. Adams' son Robert not told.

15 September 1998 Mrs. Kemper obtains new Will and Living Trust. Ms. Kemper arranges for attorney to visit hospital to obtain Mrs. Adams signature on Living Trust and Last Will and Testament documents - naming Ms. Kemper as Trustee and Sole Beneficiary.

22 September 1998 Ms. Kemper obtains Power of Attorney from Mrs. Adams - after repeated requests.

28 September 1998 Ms. Kemper obtains Mrs. Adams' life savings. Ms. Kemper convinces Mrs. Adams to transfer $100,000+ savings account into Ms. Kemper's name.

14 October 1998 Ms. Kemper obtains Irrevocable Amendment to Mrs. Adams' Living Trust. Ms. Kemper (together with Ms. Kemper's attorney, Robert Jaros - via telephone) pressured Mrs. Adams to sign Irrevocable Amendment to Living Trust - again with Mrs. Kemper as Trustee and Sole Beneficiary. All Mrs. Adams' primary assets were now signed over to Ms. Kemper. Mrs. Adams stated to Attorney General Investigator Rustenberg she didn't know what she was signing (documented). At this point, Mrs. Adams had completely lost control over her assets.

14 October 1998 After all above documents were signed, Robert was advised (by telephone) of Mrs. Adams' medical condition - but not of documents. He was not told the severity of her condition.

3 November 1998 Mrs. Adams reveals to Robert that Ms. Kemper pressured her to "sign some papers". Mrs. Kemper states to Robert (in front of Mrs. Adams), "It's none of your business.", and refused to disclose any details. Mrs. Adams had no copies of any of the documents. Through investigation, Robert discovers some details.

10 November 1998 Robert files Elder Abuse complaint (Financial Exploitation of Vulnerable Adult) against Ms. Kemper with the Arizona Attorney General's Office.

20 November 1998 Mrs. Adams interviewed by Patty Rustenberg of Attorney General's Office.

22 December 1998 Mrs. Adams dies of Acute Leukemia in Phoenix. All assets (other than Sun City personal property) in name of or in possession of Ms. Kemper. Mrs. Adams dies impoverished.

6 - 7 January 1999 Ms. Kemper at Mrs. Adams' Sun City residence - reportedly taking videotape of contents. Videotape has not been disclosed. Takes possession of all valuable personal property.

7 - 14 February 1999 Ms. Kemper again at Sun City house with pickup truck and moving van, removing contents (witnessed, with photographs available).

16 February 1999 Mr. Benedict (Ms. Kemper's ex-husband in Colorado) states to Robert over phone that Ms. Kemper had removed and or sold all Mrs. Adams' Colorado personal property. After talking with Ms. Kemper, Mr. Benedict later refused to confirm this statement.

19 March 1999 Probate Court Restraining Order which was supposed to block Ms. Kemper from disposing of any estate items until litigation completed.

21- 29 March 1999 Ms. Kemper again at Sun City house with pickup truck, removing contents (witnessed, with photographs available).

6 April 1999 Ms. Kemper provides Personal Representative Inventory. Failed to disclose significant assets (photographs availabe). Denies existence of Estate Personal property in Colorado removed by her in August 1998 (photographs and inventory available). Other personal property listed on PR inventory missing (photographs available). All personal property of significant value missing from the estate. Ms. Kemper repeatedly returns to Sun City house.

Through Settlement Agreement forced by threat of probate court action, the Sun City house was removed from the Trust and placed back into the estate, the primary bank account $100,000+ returned to the estate, and Southwest Fiduciary appointed as Personal Representative. Ms. Kemper claimed the Colorado personal property (including all antiques and family heirlooms) were disposed of through auction and gifts prior to Mrs. Adams' death, although a storage unit used for this property was still in Ms. Kemper's possession long afterward. No trace of proceeds nor evidence of auctions (receipts, etc.) were disclosed by Ms. Kemper.

Unfortunately, Southwest Fiduciary turned out to be nearly as bad as Ms. Kemper. While not as openly dishonest, Southwest concealed information about the estate, failed to account for assets, and lied to Maricopa Probate Court - all with the protection of the Court. For more information, click here: Southwest Fiduciary


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