Trustee Accused of Stealing from Clients
A trustee who was seen mingling with the Kardashians and living a high-end lifestyle is now facing allegations of stealing from clients whose estates she managed, according to a recent lawsuit.
Angelique Friend is accused of defrauding Patricia Mettler, overseeing a trust that diverted funds to her husband through her Camarillo, California company, Probate Services.
Mettler, who suffers from Alzheimer’s and was in declining health, had Friend taking control of the trust in 2021. Court documents reveal that she was unable to recall fundamental details about her life, such as her birthplace or basic biographical information.
Almost immediately, Friend secured the services of Towngate In Home Services, a company that’s owned by her husband, David Esquivias, to care for Mettler.
During nearly four years, the estate paid Towngate an astonishing $1.11 million for care, while at the same time, Friend reportedly paid herself over $165,000, totaling $1,275,860.34, according to the report.
Interestingly, Friend’s social media suggests a disconnect; she shares seemingly glamorous moments, like the time she posed with Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner at the 2022 Baby2Baby Gala. Another post features her with Kathy Hilton, thanking her after a festive holiday party.
The lawsuit claims that Friend failed to disclose her husband’s employment to anyone involved, including Mettler’s attorney. It states, “If the trustee has a conflict of interest and the beneficiary is incapacitated, the trustee may need court approval or an appointment of a legal representative to address the issue.”
The document alleges that “Friend either did none of these or, if he did, it was insufficient to avoid liability.”
Moreover, the suit explains, “Even if Towngate was compensated fairly, that doesn’t exempt it from liability for Friend’s violations.”
Esquivias, a practicing attorney, is noted in his LinkedIn profile as a specialist in estate planning and probate law.
Friend’s company promotes itself as having “Integrity and expertise when you need it.” Interestingly, she has emphasized the need for fiduciary responsibility in managing estates, stating that those in charge must act in beneficiaries’ best interests.
A response from the company has yet to be received.
Family members are pushing for Friend to be removed as trustee and seek the return of assets they believe were misappropriated, along with reimbursement for attorney fees.
