Chapter 8 - Parker Property Ventures
Parker Property Ventures LLC existed mostly on paper.
No deed.
No house.
No bank balance beyond $18,400.
No tenants.
No property.
But Ryan’s notes showed plan.
Phase 1:
Secure control of 1842 Maple Ridge.
Phase 2:
Refinance and renovate basement unit.
Phase 3:
Use equity for second property.
It read like business proposal.
My home reduced to Phase 1.
He had transferred $20,000 from Parker Landscape into Property Ventures after receiving money from my HELOC.
Some was still there.
That became important for restitution.
Then operating agreement named Ryan sole member.
Not me.
No partnership.
No mention my ownership.
In one spreadsheet, my house appeared under:
Controlled Assets.
Controlled.
Not owned.
Then another tab:
Care Cost Offset.
Ryan assigned himself $4,000 per month caregiver value.
Ten months = $40,000.
Subtract from “Mom equity.”
Then:
POA management fee = $9,500.
House maintenance management = $6,000.
He had built private accounting to convince himself he had earned claim.
No signed caregiver contract.
No agreement.
Dana said:
“He can request reasonable reimbursement for actual expenses if authorized, but he cannot invent retroactive compensation unilaterally.”
Receipts supported some groceries, gas, home repairs.
We would account.
No pretending he had done nothing.
Then Ryan’s criminal attorney gave public? No public statements. In filings he argued care burdens and financial commingling.
He had moved in, provided daily care, sacrificed business time.
The defense narrative:
A stressed son overextended financially and physically caring for a difficult mother.
One horrible night escalated.
Financial transfers were informal family arrangements.
Kennel was “temporary safety enclosure” used because Eleanor wandered.
That phrase made me sick.
Safety enclosure.
Then Melissa’s footage.
Eleven nights.
One clip showed Ryan opening kennel gate and saying:
“Maybe next time you sign what I put in front of you.”
Audio faint but enhanced? Need no tech. Her camera had microphone enough.
What document?
Likely caregiver/deed.
Then another:
“You want to act helpless, live like helpless.”
Then one clip after POA revocation:
“Dana can’t save you when judge sees how crazy you are.”
There.
Not care burnout.
Coercion.
Then Ryan’s defense shifted.
He said statements were angry exaggerations.
Could be.
Jury later decide.
Then APS arranged in-home services after I returned.
Two visits weekly.
Meal support temporarily.
Physical therapist reevaluation.
I paid what insurance didn't.
No shame.
Melissa installed no new camera on my property. I did not want surveillance.
I changed locks.
Removed Ryan’s company mail.
His equipment from garage under police/civil supervision.
Some equipment subject liens.
It went to storage.
Then kennel.
Evidence.
Police photographed and retained padlock/key, but kennel itself eventually released.
I stood beside it.
Buddy had slept there happily.
The metal bowl still rusted near garage.
I wanted everything gone.
Dana said:
“After prosecutor confirms no need.”
Two weeks later, cleared.
A junk-removal crew dismantled kennel.
No ceremonial burning.
No weapon.
Metal recycled.
Buddy’s bowl?
I kept.
Why?
Thomas had engraved BUDDY underneath.
Ryan had used it to humiliate me.
That did not erase dog.
I washed it.
Put it in shed.
Not shrine.
Then the financial case moved.
Bank reviewed HELOC.
Because POA had been valid at opening and authorized borrowing, bank’s lien might remain enforceable despite Ryan’s misuse.
I felt betrayed.
Dana explained:
“Bank may have relied on facially valid authority. We are challenging specifics, but don't assume lien disappears.”
My house had been paid off.
Now $62,000 line balance.
Through my son.
Then bank compliance review found something helpful.
The POA expressly prohibited self-dealing and gifts to agent.
Bank had disbursed to my account, not Ryan directly.
So bank had not necessarily violated.
But after funds hit my account, Ryan transferred.
That was Ryan’s wrongdoing.
Meaning I might still owe bank.
I cried.
“Why should I pay for money he took?”
Dana:
“That is why restitution and civil recovery matter.”
Lawful doesn't always feel fair.
Then Detective Ortiz called.
Parker Property Ventures account had been frozen under court order pending criminal forfeiture/restitution issues.
Balance:
$18,400.
Some of my money still there.
Parker Landscape equipment could sell.
Ryan had personal retirement account.
No magic seizure.
But there were assets.
We might recover significant amount.
Then Ortiz said:
“There’s one more thing from the safety log.”
“What?”
Last page.
Handwritten:
If Mom signs deed, stop logging.
My stomach turned.
May you like
The wandering record had never been about safety.
Ryan himself had written the condition under which my “dementia” would apparently disappear.
