April 23, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Thoracic and Cardiovascular Charity Sues Merrill Lynch for $2.4 Million

Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. (Thinkstock: Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images).
Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. (Thinkstock: Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images).

Merrill Lynch is being sued for $2.4 million by a Seal Beach-based charity that alleges a woman’s investment adviser steered away money meant for the organization.

The Los Angeles Thoracic and Cardiovascular Foundation filed the lawsuit Tuesday against Merrill Lynch, the wealth management arm of Bank of America, and Banc of America Investment Services Inc. investment adviser James Schaedler. BAIS is a predecessor entity to Merrill Lynch, the suit states.

The complaint alleges financial elder abuse and negligent supervision.

A Merrill Lynch representative said the company’s legal team has not yet reviewed the lawsuit and that he had no comment. He said Schaedler has not been with the Bank of America since 2010.

The suit is related to a trust created by Juanita Earley and her husband, John Earley, a Santa Ana couple who were longtime clients of the Bank of America. Juanita Earley died in January 2012 at age 96.

The Earleys stated in their trust dating back to 1990 that they wished to leave their estate to charities when they died, according to the lawsuit. In 2005, Juanita Earley amended the trust to name the Los Angeles Thoracic and Cardiovascular Foundation as the sole beneficiary, the suit states.

Schaedler began to capitalize on his position as the woman’s money manager in late 2008, the suit alleges.

“Seizing on her vulnerability, Mr. Schaedler systematically insinuated himself into Mrs. Earley’s personal life,” the suit states. “Among other things, he stopped for visits at her home periodically. These visits soon morphed into a routine.”

Schaedler “anointed himself” as Juanita Earley’s part-time chauffeur as he brought her groceries, drove her to church and influenced her to give him a health-care directive that he used to change her doctor against her wishes, the suit alleges.

Schaedler also isolated the woman from her family and friends, put her into a nursing home, claimed to be her conservator and ordered that the facility not allow her to take calls or have visitors, according to the lawsuit.

In July 2009, Juanita Earley “purportedly prepared or executed documents in Mr. Schaedler’s favor around and after that time,” the suit states. “It was here — one month after amending the trust — that Mrs. Earley was declared incompetent by a facility physician after extensive testing.”

Schaedler received about $2.4 million from the woman’s trust after she died, the suit states. He has “attested to a spending spree of hundreds of thousands of dollars” from the funds that he obtained from the trust, according to the complaint.

The suit alleges Schaedler “knew he could get away with his self- serving methods involving Mrs. Earley because BAIS was neither holding him accountable nor otherwise subjecting him to any meaningful oversight about his client relationships.”

The 2009 trust amendment resulted in “practically eliminating Los Angeles Thoracic as the sole trust beneficiary in favor of Mr. Schaedler,” the suit states.

Before she died, Juanita Earley “expressed to at least two disinterested witnesses her fear of Mr. Schaedler and her distress at having been pressured to change key documents,” the suit states.

Related Posts

Skip Traffic, Relax, Catch a Vibe: Midweek Sunset Party Lands on the Westside

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

DJ Jason Bentley, Mocktails, Games, Food Trucks, Light Up Fox Hills Commuters looking to escape rush hour gridlock on Thursday,...

Representative Brad Sherman in Person at CSUN Town Hall This Weekend

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Constituents of California’s 32nd District Invited to an In-Person Q&A Session U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman will hold an in-person town...

(Video) A Myriad of Ways to Unlock Your Beauty Offered at Mirror Mirror Med Spa

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

For More Info, Go To Mirrormedspa.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/1DP3ZKbfDt pic.twitter.com/OVvHuTjETC — CCNewsLA (@CCWNNews) April 23, 2025

New York Film Academy in Los Angeles Offers Summer Camps, Programs

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

New York Film Academy in Los Angeles is hosting several summer camps for teenagers and kids, providing practical training in...

Cinespia Returns to Hollywood Forever With Cult Classics and a David Lynch Tribute

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Becomes a Moviegoer’s Paradise Once Again Cinespia, Los Angeles’ beloved outdoor cinema series, will return to Hollywood...

Major I-405 Rehab Project Unveiled: Caltrans to Host Virtual Info Meeting

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Sepulveda Pass Overhaul: New Pavement, Safer Roads, Better Commutes The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will hold a virtual informational...

San Fernando Valley Man Gets 5 Years for Beverly Hills Bank Fraud and Identity Theft

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Federal Prison for ID Thief Who Raided Beverly Hills Mailboxes for Millions A North Hills man was sentenced Monday to...

Academy Announces Major Changes for 98th Oscars, Including AI Rules and New Casting Award

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Academy Now Requires Viewing All Nominees to Cast Final Ballots The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled...

Pepper Spray and Panic: LA Homeowners Targeted in Nighttime Burglaries

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

LAPD Hunts Suspects After One Resident Attacked in Beverly Grove Two separate home invasions late Friday night in Beverly Grove...

“We’re Better Than This”: Tour Business Owner Pleads for Protection After Third Burglary

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Thieves hit Again, Stealing E-Bikes and Leaving a Wake of Damage in South La Cienega The frustrated owner of a...

Lawsuits Allege Insurance Giants Conspired to Undercut California Fire Victims

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Two Lawsuits Accuse Top Carriers of Price-Fixing and Violating Antitrust Laws Attorneys representing homeowners impacted by California’s January wildfires have...

Cali Camp Welcomes Los Angeles Campers

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

By Susan Payne Roam streams, meadows and oak trees in the heart of rock-lined Topanga Canyon this summer at Cali...

Mayor Karen Bass’ Budget Plan Proposes 1,647 Layoffs Amid $300M Liability Surge

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Civilian LAPD Staff, Transportation, and Sanitation Departments Among Hardest Hit Mayor Karen Bass’ proposed city budget for the upcoming fiscal...

Santa Monica PD Makes Arrest in Ocean Front Walk Stabbing; Second Suspect Sought

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

Late-Night Stabbing in Santa Monica Prompts Manhunt After a shocking incident of violence in Santa Monica, a man has been...

Unlock the Secrets of Impressionism and Ancient Thrace with Getty’s Free Talks

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025

The Getty’s Lineup of Free Online Art Talks Opens Doors for Global Audiences. The Getty Center will host a series...