Former Medford detective accused of exploiting man with dementia - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2015-03-30

Document text

3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories After being sidelined by blindness, Stan Moore returns to the bike business in Medford Motorcyclist dies on Highway 140 In-N-Out has the urge to build more Oregon restaurants Emergency services, March 29 Ashland woman takes cancer threat head-on Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, March 29 Cottage Grove man dies in Rogue River boating accident Emergency services, March 28 State police: Grants Pass shooter tried to run victim off the road Poodle killed with pellet gun in west Medford Politics and Elections Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for one year Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Education Which comes first: The rocket or the egg? Medford School District one of most accident-prone in state Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Oregon legislators may end fifth-year high school programs Phoenix High officer looks back on varied career Environment Rogue Valley lions on their way to California Corps hopes to clear Lost Creek Lake of debris Beetles taking toll on Ashland pines Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Controversial asphalt plant in Talent wins county planning approval State News 5 things to know about Oregon's gun-control bill Feds celebrate sage grouse deal with Oregon ranchers Timber payments extension passes U.S. House $15 minimum wage bill dead in Oregon Senate Dave Frohnmayer remembered at Eugene memorial Nation - World Obituaries Claudine Barbara Pollard Alexander Edwards Ray E. Kniffen, Sr. Lois Emmerette (Wright) Huntley James "Jim" Peter Duman Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Beavers take series finale over Mustangs No. 7 Spartans Final Four-bound after OT win Hamlin earns 25th Cup victory, fifth at Martinsville Blazers beat Nuggets, move closer to division title Raiders roll EOU in 4-0, 6-1 triumphs Varsity 541 College Sports Beavers take series finale over Mustangs No. 7 Spartans Final Four-bound after OT win Raiders roll EOU in 4-0, 6-1 triumphs Kentucky holds off Irish Stewart, UConn crush Texas Pro Sports Blazers beat Nuggets, move closer to division title Walker gains lead over Spieth in Texas Aldridge propels Blazers past Suns Warriors match record with 60th victory Birdie run gives Walker lead in Texas Open Community Sports Business Latest Stories After being sidelined by blindness, Stan Moore returns to the bike business in Medford Mandatory paid sick leave gets mixed reviews Blog: How to Practice Patience Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Medford shoppers wonder about impacts of Costco on Trader Joe's parking lot Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 People in Business: Feb. 28 Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Agriculture Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Harry & David announces new president Opinion Latest Our View: Phoenix lion sanctuary was a missed opportunity Letters to the Editor, March 29 George Will: Remembrance of Clintons past Dana Milbank: The end of the White House's insularity? Guest Opinion: How to end the influence of money in elections Editorials Our View: Phoenix lion sanctuary was a missed opportunity Other Views: Gun background check bill won't make us safer Our View: Some police videos should be released Our View: Public records rules should apply to lawmakers, too Our View: Oregon schools will have to make do with a little more money Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 29 Letters to the Editor, March 28 Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 26 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Columns George Will: Remembrance of Clintons past Dana Milbank: The end of the White House's insularity? Guest Opinion: How to end the influence of money in elections Charles Krauthammer: The GOP racing form, first edition Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: How to end the influence of money in elections Guest Opinion: How schools teach U.S. history raises hackles Guest Opinion: Guest Opinion: Raise your voice against child abuse Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Lifestyle Latest stories Prepare the beds for summer vegetables Pet of the Week: Spot Aging is less pleasant if you succumb to the number Bemoaning the lack of local discount days Beyond the Beach Food Community blog: Try slightly smoky baked beans instead of refried App Finder: Best barbecue apps Health Watch: It’s OK to have a cheat day Frugal foodie Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Almond cookies pass the test Home and Garden Prepare the beds for summer vegetables Hot tub: The perfect centerpiece for outdoor living Garden Cameos: Welcome spring to the garden Paul Rogers: Ground unworkable, despite spring’s arrival Home Help: How green is your house? Health Community blog: How to Get Rid of a Tension Headache St. Mary's student helps others with diabetes Community blog: Sleep Tight: Making Your Bed, Body and Mind Ready for Rest Health Watch: 5 tips for seasonal allergy relief A better bedtime Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Here's Tempo's top five picks for live entertainment this week The 2015 Rising Stars music competition ends with its final round on the Britt stage in Jacksonville Live Music in Local Clubs Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Next Stage Repertory presents 'Educating Rita' at the Craterian Theater Theater ‘A Dream of Red Pavilions’ at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Review: Education and its discontents Next Stage Repertory presents 'Educating Rita' at the Craterian Theater Eugene O'Neill's 'Long Day's Journey into Night' opens at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Camelot's 'Sunset Boulevard' ambitious, not as dark Music Futurebirds play the Brickroom in Ashland The 2015 Rising Stars music competition ends with its final round on the Britt stage in Jacksonville Live Music in Local Clubs Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park The Farr Side: Lines are blurred with theft of Marvin Gaye’s classic groove Community Events Rogue Valley artist Linda Evans' pastel paintings capture landscapes of Southern Oregon Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Dining (No heading) Basque-inspired cuisine at Eleven in Ashland Parsing the meaning behind wine medals and scores Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 22 Jasmine Thai Cuisine Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW   Our View: Phoenix lion sanctuary was a missed opportunity       ...       Guest Opinion: How to end the influence of money in elections       ...       Conservancy hopes to turn 352-acre ranch along Rogue River into a preserve       ...       Our View: Phoenix lion sanctuary was a missed opportunity       ...       Guest Opinion: How to end the influence of money in elections       ...       Conservancy hopes to turn 352-acre ranch along Rogue River into a preserve       ...           Former Medford detective accused of exploiting man with dementia Suit filed by daughter of wealthy, ailing lawyer alleges marriage was a sham Comment By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Mar. 27, 2015 at 1:48 PM Updated Mar 28, 2015 at 2:21 PM By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Mar. 27, 2015 at 1:48 PM Updated Mar 28, 2015 at 2:21 PM »  Social News PORTLAND — A former Medford police detective who specialized in investigating elder abuse has been accused of using her expertise to exploit the dementia of a Portland lawyer before his death last year. The daughter of Victor Calzaretta says in a $4 million lawsuit filed in Portland that she was in line to inherit his estate until Calzaretta married the detective, Sue Campbell, after a brief courtship. Calzaretta changed his will in 2011 to make his wife the executor and sole beneficiary. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Diane Miller of La Center, Wash., says the detective was familiar with the signs of dementia and married Calzaretta — her elder by 13 years — "not because she loved him," but to get access to his estate. "Campbell's actions were taken for the improper purpose of financially exploiting an elderly demented man for her own financial benefit," the lawsuit states. Sue Campbell Calzaretta declined comment by phone Thursday. Her lawyer, Jim Callahan, said his client adamantly denies the allegations, and he spoke no further. Victor Calzaretta, who died at 72, worked as a police officer before switching careers in the early 1980s and, according to the lawsuit, amassing an estate worth about $4 million. In July 2003, he made out a will leaving his estate to his second wife, Anita. If she died before him, the estate would go to Miller. Anita Calzaretta died in 2004. The lawsuit states Calzaretta began showing signs of dementia in 2008, and it worsened the following year. Toward the end of his legal career, Calzaretta was hit with two negligence complaints, court records show. One of them was filed by a client whose lawsuit was tossed by a judge early into a November 2010 trial. A news report from the time said the judge sharply criticized Calzaretta for his lack of preparation, including his inability to even say when his next witnesses would show. According to the lawsuit, Calzaretta had been friends with Campbell and bought her a wedding dress in 1994. The two, however, went years without seeing each other until Campbell invited Calzaretta to attend a funeral with her in February 2010. They started dating and got married two months later. Campbell worked for years investigating abuse cases involving the elderly. In 2007, the state Department of Human Services honored her as one of 11 "Everyday Heroes" in the fight against the crime. The agency said in a news release that the detective went "above and beyond" her professional duty by taking victims of elder abuse on outings, walking their dogs, baking them desserts and celebrating holidays with them. Calzaretta's will, a copy of which was found in Jackson County Probate Department records, is similar to the 2003 terms except that Sue Calzaretta's name is substituted for the second wife. If Sue Calzaretta had preceded her husband in death, the estate would have gone to Diane Miller. Victor Calzaretta's other surviving child, Richard Calzaretta of Vancouver, Wash., was shut out in both versions. Following Calzaretta's death, Campbell also inherited three residential properties, two of them in Medford, the complaint says. Tara Lawrence, the lawyer for Diane Miller, said her client could not be interviewed and she wouldn't discuss Miller's financial situation. "(The lawsuit) has so much less to do with finances," Lawrence said Thursday. "It certainly plays a factor. But Diane is bringing this for justice for her father." One of Victor Calzaretta's siblings, William Calzaretta, said he couldn't shed any light on his brother's relationship with Sue Campbell. But, he added, the family also didn't know anything about Victor's first and second wives until he married them. "He never communicated with us," he said. Mail Tribune reporter Thomas Moriarty contributed to this report. Reach him at 541-776-4471 or by email at [email protected]. Follow him at @ThomasDMoriarty. By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Mar. 27, 2015 at 1:48 PM Updated Mar 28, 2015 at 2:21 PM » Comment or view comments   Reader Reaction »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.    Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service  |  Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501