Investigation into Judge and Guardian ad litem about huge bills in one case

Yesterday we posted about Judges and Guardians as litem that felt putting children back with their abusers was in the child's best interest. One Judge was quoted as saying the mother was subconsciously "re-victimizing" her child. It begs the question - since when do Judges and Guardians ad litem also practice medicine as part of their role in the court system? They do not have the training to do so. Yet our court system on a regular basis over rides or makes medical decisions. This is done with immunity.

While thinking about the ethics involved with the "re-victimizing" of the child comment you have to ask yourself - how is it that $133,000.89 can be charged for a case. This would mean the Guardian ad litem was charging $2600 a week for the 'work' being done. Can the Guardian ad litem really believe that this cost is in the best interest of the child?

Please read the continuing saga:


Investigation: Custody experts avoid questions about huge bills in one case

FULTON COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Attorney James Holmes turned around and walked to the back of his mechanic's garage as CBS Atlanta News reporter Jeff Chirico tried to ask him questions about a $133,000 bill he charged to a family in the middle of a bitter custody dispute. 

As a guardian ad litem in the case, Holmes is responsible for advocating for the best interest of a 10-year-old girl whose identity CBS Atlanta News is withholding. 

Last month, Fulton County Superior Court Judge John Goger ordered the girl live with her father despite allegations that he had sexually abused her. Holmes and a court-appointed custody evaluator, Howard Drutman, recommended that the girl's father receive primary custody of his daughter. 

According to a document filed in the custody case, Drutman and Holmes made that recommendation because they said the mother was subconsciously "re-victimizing" her daughter by not letting her progress past the abuse

Full story: CBS Atlanta


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Related stories and information:
Judge John J. Goger

Protestors: Judges and Guardians ad litem are putting children back with abusers

ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -

About two dozen protestors held signs and wore neon green shirts that read "Shame on you, Judge Goger" and "Shame on you, Judge Lane" as they marched outside the Fulton County Courthouse Monday.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge John Goger came under fire because of a recent order requiring a 10-year-old girl to live with her father, who was twice arrested for abusing her in a recent custody hearing.

CBS Atlanta News is not using the names of the parties to protect the child.

The mother of the girl told CBS Atlanta News reporter Jeff Chirico that she believes the judge did not consider the evidence and was influenced by her ex-husband's attorney.

Criminal charges against the girl's father were dropped for lack of evidence, but according to court records and the mother, five independent assessments supported the girl's story of repeated abuse.

Despite the allegations, the custody evaluator and court-appointed guardian ad litem, recommended the child be placed in the father's home because the mother was subconsciously "re victimizing" the child

Full story: CBS Atlanta