How the Los Angeles Times helped 'launch' me in China.....

Want to read the entire, 6+ page front page LA Times article?  Go to the LA Times and download it......below is an AI summary - I hate AI and this is a really flimsy summary but such is life.  Anyhow, An ex-wife tried to destroy me but along the way, she got me on the front page of a major US newspaper and  I was wise enough at the time to make sure that 'everyone' in China saw it!! And miracle of miracle after 32 years:   we are here to laugh about it!

The document reports on the resignations of two California probate referees who were working out of state, raising concerns about their job performance. ​

Resignation of Probate Referees

• Michael R. Steed and Laurence E. Lipsher resigned after inquiries about their ability to perform estate appraisals while residing in Maryland and China, respectively. ​
• Both referees had been politically connected, with Steed being a former Democratic National Committee director and Lipsher having ties to several Democratic Congress members.
• Controller Gray Davis stated there were no complaints about their performance but initiated an investigation due to concerns raised by the Los Angeles Times.

Compensation and Work Structure

• The referees earned significant fees for their part-time roles, with Lipsher collecting $288,173 and Steed $234,303 from 1988 to 1992. ​
• They were paid based on a percentage of the estate value appraised, with a cap of $10,000 per fee.
• Although there is no legal requirement for referees to reside in their service counties, critics argue that physical presence is essential for effective job performance.

Political Patronage and Criticism

• The system of appointing probate referees has faced criticism for being politically motivated, with allegations of "ghost" referees who delegate work to staff. ​
• Many probate attorneys and judges have praised the overall performance of the referee system, despite concerns about its political underpinnings. ​
• Lipsher defended his work, stating he managed his responsibilities effectively even while abroad, while Steed's residency in Maryland raised questions about his commitment to his role in California.