Lindsay’s Stepson Appointed Guardian of Councilman’s Estate

The stepson of ailing Los Angeles City Councilman Gilbert Lindsay was appointed temporary conservator of his estate Thursday, an action that sets the stage for a lawsuit to reclaim the elderly councilman’s property from his former girlfriend.

During a brief proceeding in Superior Court, a new allegation emerged that the woman, Juanda Chauncie, 39, obtained $65,000 from Lindsay’s bank account at Broadway Federal Savings & Loan Assn.

Lindsay, 90, has been hospitalized since he suffered a stroke Sept. 2 and remains partially paralyzed and unable to speak.

In court papers filed Thursday, Herbert Howard, the stepson, said that Lindsay’s condition is deteriorating and he has no one to provide for him or give consent for his medical care.

“We fear that unless he has a conservator appointed immediately, it will result in a loss” to Lindsay and his estate, the papers said.

Contacted by telephone at her home Thursday evening, Chauncie hung up on a reporter.

The Times reported last month that over the last two years, Chauncie has obtained a financial interest in much of Lindsay’s real estate and is attempting to evict an elderly couple from a house Lindsay had rented to them for 20 years.

Attorney Johnnie L. Cochran Jr., who drew up Lindsay’s will and now represents his stepson, said he intends to file a lawsuit within the next few days to reclaim that house and other property.

Because Chauncie is attempting to sell the house Lindsay rented to the couple, “it is important that a lawsuit be filed immediately . . . to stop the sale,” Cochran said.

The temporary conservatorship, which was approved by Superior Court Commissioner Ann Stodden, gives Howard authority over Lindsay’s estate so that he can file the lawsuit, Cochran said. Neither Chauncie nor her attorney attended the court proceeding, Cochran said. A full hearing on the matter was set for Jan. 14.

Cochran said he is now investigating the circumstances under which Chauncie obtained not only the property, but also the $65,000. He said he did not know how Chauncie had gained access to the money. Cochran added that he is still calculating the total value of Lindsay’s estate.

Until 18 months ago, Lindsay owned three houses on East 52nd Place and at least two commercial lots in Los Angeles. But now, records show, the only piece of property he owns by himself is his modest home in South-Central Los Angeles.