Texas investigators looking into allegations state agency abused elderly

Friday, April 16th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

EL PASO, Texas (AP) _ State investigators are looking into allegations that a state program did not properly care for dozens of elderly residents who were found to be living in filth.

Gov. Rick Perry ordered the investigation Wednesday based on a report by a judge, which found cases of elderly residents in El Paso being abused or neglected by Adult Protective Services.

The report by Probate Judge Max Higgs found that some residents lived in filthy, insect-infested homes, were covered with rat bites or in their own waste, Higgs said.

``At this early stage of the game, it's difficult to say whether this is systemic or not. The review will determine whether practices or policies we have in place are appropriate,'' said Geoff Wool, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, which oversees APS.

Health and Human Services Commissioner Albert Hawkins traveled to El Paso on Thursday for a briefing by investigators, who are reviewing about 800 files involving about 200 people.

``This initial effort focuses on El Paso, but our focus is statewide and comprehensive as well,'' Hawkins said in Friday editions of the El Paso Times.

He said investigators, which include policy, financial, legal and law enforcement experts, should conclude the El Paso review in about two weeks. A report on operations statewide is expected by Nov. 1.

Cases being examined include that of Richard Schaffino, who says he had a good relationship with his 83-year-old father until a caretaker talked the elderly man into giving her thousands of dollars and family property.

When Schaffino and other family members called the state's Adult Protective Services for help, he said the agency didn't want to get involved and eventually tried to brand him as a fortune hunter.