Opinion based on 20 years of filing Asbestos Trust Claims – See full blog post on this topic – Updated September 4, 2017 (and as circumstances change)

The Asbestos Trust Mafia: Corrupt Lawyers Harming Present and Future Asbestos Victims

Note: This is a ‘story’ that has to be written. Billions and Billions of Dollars have been stolen by the individuals below. Billions. Each of the individuals below is tied to each other as an “Asbestos Trust Fiduciary”. Each is dishonest. Each commits fraud solely designed to misappropriate money from asbestos victims. Each is solely engaging in fraud to “line their own pockets”. Quite possibly “THE” most corrupt lawyers in the Country. The Asbestos Trust Mafia.

Let’s introduce you to some of the most dishonest and corrupt lawyers in the Country

ASBESTOS MAFIA HIERARCHY

The “Godfathers” of the Asbestos Trust Mafia are 4 Individuals –

1) Steven Kazan – The King of Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Fraud.

• The man most responsible for destroying more than one hundred once-thriving American businesses and putting tens of thousands of their diversely-colored employees out of work.
• Kazan then ‘controls’ the Asbestos Trusts as a “Fiduciary” through tyranny, fraud, and collusion – diverting funds to interested parties and his Firm
• Serves as a ‘Fiduciary’ on over 20 Asbestos Trusts allowing him to control/collude over 20 billion in assets and to divert hundreds of millions to his clients, “interested” parties, lawyers engaging in fraud, and other non-victims/beneficiaries.
• Documentary Proof – LINK TO ANNUAL REPORT WHERE STEVE KAZAN, AL BRAYTON, MCLAIN AND SNYDER ‘STOLE’ OVER 47 MILLION FROM VICTIMS  –Brayton, Kazan, McClain and Snyder Stealing 47 Million from Victims–
• Here is the language from the report unless the Link Doesn’t Work: Fees for Plaintiffs’ Firms: In the process of entering the Confirmation Order, the Bankruptcy Court entered Order Regarding Fees Paid to Certain Law Firms, on January 26, 2004 (“Fee Order”), requiring three firms to pay to the Trust a total of $12.3 million in legal fees previously paid to such firms by USF&G. The three firms were Brayton and Purcell, Kazan, McLain, (NOT ONLY DID THESE ‘LOSERS’ RECEIVE OVER 200 MILLION IN ATTORNEY FEES FROM CLAIMS, BUT THEY HAD TO THEN TAKE ANOTHER $12.3 MILLION – WHAT A BUNCH OF CRIMINALS). “On the Effective Date, the Plaintiffs’ Firms paid such amounts to the Trust, but appealed the Fee Order to the Federal District Court. The Trust put the $12.3 million in a segregated account pending the appeal. The Fee Order was reversed by District Court Order on July 14, 2004. Pursuant to the Court’s Order of July 14, 2004, the Trustees approved payment on July 27, 2004 of the $12.3 million in fees to Plaintiffs’ Counsel. 23. Fees for Special Counsel: Pursuant to this Court’s July 13, 2004 Order of Final Allowance of Contingent Bonus Fees to Debtors’ Special Counsel, the Trust paid fees totaling $35,542,397 to Brobeck, Phleger and Harrison, Faricy and Roen, Miller, Starr and Regalia and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius” — (THESE ARE STEPHEN SNDYER’S 2 FIRMS – THIS WAS HIS ”PAYOFF” FOR CONSPIRING WITH BRAYTON AND KAZAN) 
•  Kazan is one of the most dishonest, self-dealing and corrupt lawyers in the Country. Controls over 20 billion in Trust funds through fraud, insider dealing, bad faith, and misconduct.
• Actively conceals asbestos job sites (preventing future victims from getting compensated from Trusts) atEVERY Trust to which Kazan is a Fiduciary.
• Has “Secret relationship” w/ Trust fiduciaries at every Trust — (Tom Florence – Executive Director of Ankura; Al Brayton, many others).
• Most of his Law Firms mesothelioma cases come from Doctor David Jablons, who unethically maintains Kazan’s brochure and intake packet at his office.

2) David McClain – The King of Corruption Kazan’s partner in crime at Kazan McClain

• Thinks he’s the ‘smartest guy in the room’ while engaging in fraud.
• A true “Lawyer Bully”. The “front man” of Trust Fraud (while conspiring with his partner Kazan and Brayton throughout)
• Oversaw the entire Western Asbestos Trust Fraud leading to Trust Confirmation. “Shopped” around to Plaintiff Attorneys during Trial with Western to “Cherry Pick” claims
• Co-conspirator to help created Western Asbestos Trust, Thorpe Insulation Trust, J.T. Thorpe, Inc. Trust and Plant Insulation Trust

3) Alan Brayton – The most dishonest Mafia member of them all. Submitted hundreds of fraudulent and inflated defaults to help create the 2 billion dollar Western Asbestos Trust through collusion with other Mafia members (David McClain, Stephen Snyder, Michael Ahrens, Gary Fergus).

• Within 2 years, over $800,000,000 was diverted from the fund to Mafia members and their clients — including over 10 million in ‘bonuses’ to the Godfathers, and over $40,000,000 to other mafia members (proof in Annual Reports above). Hated by nearly every former employee of his office.
• Hands down the most deceptive, malicious and dishonest attorney in asbestos litigation. A central figure in the fraudulent creation of the Western Asbestos Settlement Trust through fraud. Here are many ‘public’ documents who display his bad faith.
• Here are documents showing Brayton tried to ‘hide’ the “stolen” Western Asbestos monies from the Government –  Tax Fraud – BraytonExhibit P- Tax Court Stipulated Order and Ruling (2002)- Al Brayton-Deficiency over 3 Million plus Penalties Over 500 K—-Concerns 200 (1)
• Annual Report filed – Displays Brayton’s Corruption – 13-43677.Objection to Annual ReportFraudulent Kananian Western Default
• ACTUAL FRAUDULENT RELEASE – WMAC Release-Jack Kananian 2004 – this $500,000 was concealed by Mafia Members and Trusts Fiduciaries despite deposition proving Western Fiduciary knowledge of the same.
• Western Asbestos Trust Depo (Sara Beth Brown deposition – March 2010 –  Brown has been conspiring with Mafia members since 2004 – you will not find a bigger liar and fraud in the entire Country – here’s her deposition where she discussed Brayton Fraud (and then concealed this deposition from Annual Reports
• More Pulic Articles Displaying Brayton  Fraud – Articles – Brayton Fraudulent Bankruptcy Claims

4. TOM FLORENCE

•  Depending on which day it is, he is either misappropriating Trust funds as a “Fiduciary”/Director for the Delaware Trusts (over 1 billion in funds) or for conducting ‘sham’ through Ankura consulting and ‘protecting’ Kazan and Brayton fraud
• Has Helped Guide the Godfathers and Assisted in the misappropriation of nearly a billion dollars
• A very dishonest Lawyer
• Ankura Consulting (who Florence diverts Trust money to) is a complete ‘sham’ organization.

But Kazan, Brayton, and McClain could not accomplish this ‘feat’ without other Mafia members. We will detail those below.

5. Sander L. Esserman – (New Entry to the List) – One of the real ‘dishonest and bad lawyers’ involved in Asbestos Trust Litigation – Probably should be an Underboss (he ‘bows’ to Steve Kazan), but given the vast amount of fraud, bad faith, and harm to victims – he’s clearly a “Godfather”

• Steven Kazan’s Fraud ‘Buddy’ – Florence is an Interested Party who conspires with Kazan to ‘corrupt’ nearly a dozen asbestos Trusts and misappropriate billions to Kazan, Brayton, his Law Firm and other interested parties.
• Look at his profile on his Firm Website – This complete loser represents Plaintiffs, defendants, Trusts (all conflicts) – and utilizes those positions to benefit Kazan, Brayton and others. This guy is a thief!
  

  From  Esserman’s  Profile:

• Recent Representative Matters

  • National Gypsum Company, Counsel to Legal Representative, appointed Legal Representative in August, 2000.

  • Babcock & Wilcox Chapter 11 (represented nuclear exposure plaintiffs).

  • Various pending asbestos-related Chapter 11 cases, including Owens Corning, NARCO, DII and Dresser, Harbison-Walker, Swan Transportation, A.P. Green and M.H. Detrick (representing interests of plaintiffs).

• A Partner at the following Law Firm below. These lawyers, including Peter D’Apice, Jacob Newton and host of other frauds have ‘stolen’ victims funds totaling well over $10,000,0000 – Esserman should be in jail. Contact his Firm and let them know what losers they are:

  Stutzman, Bromberg, Esserman & Plifka – A Professional Corporation – 2323 Bryan Street, Suite 2200 Dallas, Texas 75201-2689  |  Telephone: (214) 969-4900  |  Facsimile: (214) 969-4999

  Sander Esserman – The “link” to a billion dollars of victims funds misappropriated

   

 

UNDERBOSSES (A REAL “PACK OF FRAUDS”)

1. DAN MYER/ROBERT CAPRITTI/KIM LAVIN (OVERSEE A BILLION DOLLARS FOR VICTIMS THROUGH FRAUD) –

Their company is Verus Trust Services (www.verusllc.com) – each of these complete ‘losers’ are former Asbestos Defense lawyers (C.C.R.) which wholly precludes them by D.O.J. rules from serving on Asbestos Trusts, yet they oversees (and assists in misappropriating) over $1,000,000,000.00 in Trusts funds.  Myer is a walking “Pinocchio”. Kim Lavin is ‘affectionately known’ as “The Liar” and a despicable lawyer. Unquestionably, Lavin’s presence at Verus is because she is “dumb enough” to join the corrupt activities after being a failure as a litigator.  Collectively, these 3 have ‘harmed’ tens of thousands asbestos victims through fraud, bad faith,”dis”favoritism (towards anyone but Mafia members).

NOTES ABOUT DAN MYER – 

• NOTE:  Dan Myer needs his own “special section” here due to the enormous nature of his misconduct – what a loser!
• Myer exemplifies everything ‘bad’ about lawyers. He’s a liar (Little Pinocchio is his nickname)! He’s an alcoholic! He’s a thief!  He lacks intelligence but thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room. He’s misappropriated hundreds of millions to favored parties! 
• The United States Trustee and Attorney General and Supervising Judges have grounds to remove Myer, Lavin and Capritti and “disgorge” every dollar they’ve ‘stolen’ from the Trusts as interested parties.
• A terrible attorney who would have been out of work had he not agreed to engage in corruption.

Conspires and colludes with the Godfathers to ensure their claims are paid, asbestos sites are concealed, and victims lose

2. GARY FERGUS – www.ferguslegalip.com –

• Another former Asbestos Defense Lawyer (and a bad one at that) who took his company (Fibreboard) into bankruptcy and then immediately began corrupting Asbestos Trusts.

An “interested party” violating D.O.J. rules who has personally misappropriated (stolen) at least $10,000,000.00 from Trust funds. “Hides” in Trust Annual Reports by serving as the “Attorney for the Futures Representative” — a 90 year old former Judge (Charles Renfrew) who is naive to the fraud and happy to collect his yearly stipend. Fergus should have all monies received over the last 10 years disgorged and returned to victims. A pathetic lawyer who has ‘sponged’ off of victims funds for nearly 15 years.

• If there was a “Lawyer Buffoon Team” – this loser would have a statue in front of the office.
• A career Asbestos Defense lawyer who used to extend depositions of dying victims for days just so he could make his billings
• Stephen Snyder’s “right hand man”  in fraud. Conspired with Snyder and Brayton to misappropriate over a billion dollars to Brayton and Kazan.
• Would have been unable to find a job if he hadn’t joined the mafia – he was a horrible attorney who sounds “cartoonish” in Court.
• For a decade, has committed “Elderly Abuse” in working for Judge Renfrew in a capacity that is illegal, fraudulent and despicable.

3. KATHLEEN CAMPBELL DAVIS – www.camlev.com-

See prior Posts. Attorney/Fiduciary overseeing billions in Trust funds (Delaware Trusts, General Motors/MLC Trusts) through fraud, bad faith. Conspires and colludes regularly with the underbosses.

4. MARY ELLEN NICKEL – Executive Director of the Delaware Trusts – which includes over 4 billion (yes, billion) in Trusts.

• Nickel is a “killer” for victims that she is involved with in any Trust whatsoever.
• A liar to her core.
• Plays favorites daily to divert victims funds to friends.
• Will sue one lawyer for fraud with no evidence, while ignoring blatant fraud of Mafia members.
• Like all on this list – not one thing out of her mouth is seemingly true.

5. PETER D’APICE – https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterdapice.

• Wholly ignores conflict of interest rules regularly to usurp millions in Trust funds through excessive Trust billing (one day, he’s a Trust lawyer), attorney fees (the next, he represents claimants), and sham audits (the next day, he oversees and review Trust claims for another Trust).
• A clearly despicable human being and lawyer who makes all lawyers look bad….
• Nicknames: Peter “D’Fraud”, Peter “D-thief”, and Peter “D’APiece of Shit”.
• Works with Verus to help Corrupt those Trusts
• Works under Sander Esserman to assist in the theft and misappropriation of Trust funds (while conspiring with Kazan/Brayton etc…)

6. STEPHEN SNYDER – www.smollp.com – The biggest criminal of them all.

LIED under oath and indicated that he was “retired” and resigned from the Bar to hide his insider dealing. Resigned (as a ‘sham’) from the California State Bar in 1999 so that he could deceive the Court and becomel Managing Trustee of the Western Asbestos, J.T. Thorpe, Inc. Trust and the Thorpe Insulation Trust. Personally and individually responsible for misappropriating over $100,000,000.00 in Trust funds from 3 Trusts (www.wastrust; www.tistrust.com; www.jttstrust.com) to himself and Gary Fergus  (see above) and over a $1,000,000,000.00 to the Underbosses Kazan, McClain and Brayton. Evidence of Insider Dealing – Snyder.  This former defense lawyer (for over 20 years) took Fibreboard into bankruptcy (along with Fergus) through excessive billing. As an ‘interested’ party, should have no dealings on Trusts. The type of lawyer who gives all lawyers a bad name. A real despicable person.

7. MICHAEL AHRENS/STEVE SACKS – These are Alan Brayton’s “underbosses” – protecting his crimes through fraud, perjury and bad faith in every instance. Paid millions of dollars to protect Brayton’s fraud. A couple of complete buffoons. Ahrens to ‘fat slob’ who has used his role in protecting Brayton’s fraud as a path to retirement. Sacks is a ‘chronic liar’ – who has committed perjury on multiple occasions. These 2 are complete losers. Ahrens clearly an alcoholic whose “legal enemy” (Al Brayton) became his buddy once they colluded to misappropriate funds from Trust Beneficiaries. Ahrens should retire and will leave a legacy of fraud.

 

UPDATED REGULARLY TO INCLUDE MORE ASBESTOS TRUST MAFIA MEMBERS – THE STREET BOSSES etc…

I will also be adding LOTS more documents and evidence –

I also recommend reading the following article which also details the above –

Bates-White Article_Reorganized Mess – Detailing Bankruptcy Fraud – Misappropriation of Trust Funds by Trustees/Fiduciaries/Lawyers and how it’s accomplished. Kazan. Brayton.

Here is a Link to Another Attorney who wrote about the same fraud in 2015 – In Forbes Magazine – They entitled it “Institutionalized Fraud” https://www.forbes.com/sites/danielfisher/2014/05/08/plaintiff-lawyer-offers-inside-look-at-institutionalized-fraud-at-asbestos-trusts/#155390e046c2