Luxury Articles Ordered Seized in DeSillers Case

A judge Friday ordered the seizure of jewelry and other luxury items that Maria DeSillers allegedly bought with some of the $690,000 donated for her dying son’s liver transplants.

Dade Probate Judge Francis Christie granted a request from lawyers for a court-appointed curator of the estate of Ronnie DeSillers, who died in April, 1987, at age 7. The order also struck DeSillers’ $150,000 claim on the estate.

“I’m going to ruin you, lady,” DeSillers said as the curator, Karen Gievers, left the judge’s chamber Friday. “You call this justice? She’ll never run for public office in this state,” DeSillers said as her attorneys sought to quiet her.

Records Request Denied

In a separate ruling Thursday, Christie dismissed Gievers’ request to hold DeSillers in contempt for not handing over records of her purchases and the disputed items themselves, which include a diamond-sapphire ring and diamond-studded gold cross.

Being forced under threat of jail to turn over the records and purchases could violate DeSillers’ right against self-incrimination, because criminal investigations are under way in Dade and Broward counties, the judge ruled.

Michael Dribin, an attorney for Gievers, said having a third party seize the items did not expose DeSillers to self-incrimination. Friday’s order does not cover the records, only the disputed items.

May Have Spent $200,000

Gievers has estimated that the amount of donations DeSillers may have improperly spent on herself, family and friends was $200,000.

The seizure order does not list any dollar value for the items. Besides the ring and the cross, it includes such things as an IBM computer, a diamond-studded gold bracelet, about $4,000 in furniture, a car phone and a gold watch.