Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Los Angeles California Wildlife Rehabilitation Real Estate

Mary Cummins Animal Advocates Los Angeles California Wildlife Rehabilitation Real Estate
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Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Gentle Barn, Ellie Laks, Yael Laks, Attorney General investigation for donor fraud, criminal past

The Gentle Barn gets a horrible review in Charity Navigator.



UPDATE: May 20, 2014: I read the book and just started to see if I could verify anything in the book. Ellie Laks is a story teller.

1. Ellie Laks states she was forced to sell her house on 6050 Corbin, Tarzana, CA because her neighbor complained about her pig and one structure being too close to the fence.

That of course is not quite true. She was reported for illegal use of the property. The zone is RA-1 which is suburban low density single family residence. She was reported for running a business on the property which is not allowed. She also had more animals than allowed for the lot size. A regular pig is not allowed in this zone. This is not agriculture zone which would be A1 or A2. There were also reports and complaints about the condition of the property. There were many complaints from 2002 to 2003. She had to shut down the business she ran on the property.

Just found out that Yael Laks and Jay Weiner are distributors of that algae product. They make commissions on sales. Looks like they made $2-$5k/month in 2012 in commissions selling that algae product. It is multi-level marketing. http://www.simplexityhealth.co.uk They sell blue green algae which "only" grows in one lake in Oregon.  Their product is not controlled by the FDA. The company claims the products make you healthy, help you lose weight... Turns out the  products have microcystins which are bad for you. Oregon Dept of Agriculture banned algae products for human consumption if there was more than one part per million of microcystin. Revenue went from $193M to $37M. They became a public company then did death spiral financing. The owner then went to prison for tax evasion. Then they were sued for false, misleading and deceptive advertising. Judge ruled all claims were totally false and banned the sale of the products in California. The company originally named Cell Tech was sued for wrongful death in 2005. That is why they changed their name in 2006 to Simplexity Health. The company renamed the blue green algae product. Looks like they changed names so they could sell the product again. They are using the same false advertising. The product could be harmful. I call it a scam. 


Guess who owns a boat? Yael Laks. It was valued in 2013 at $18,000. Why is she buying a boat? Where did she get that money? As she has no job, her husband has no job, her trust fund is gone, it most likely came from Gentle Barn.


OWNERSHIP INFORMATION
Assessee: LAKS, YAEL
Assessee Address: 26910 SIERRA HWY
NEWHALL,  CA  91321 - 2262
Property Address: 26910 SIERRA HWY
NEWHALL,  CA  91321 - 2262
Assessor's Parcel Number: 3CF2-176-PY
State: CA
County: LOS ANGELES

SALES INFORMATION

ASSESSOR INFORMATION
Assessed Year: 2013
Total Assessed Land & Improvement Value: $18,991.00
Total Assessed Improvement Value: $18,991.00
Tax Code Area: 14-911
Property Type: WATERCRAFT

LEGAL DESCRIPTION
Source Of Property Location: PARTIAL CREATION OF SITUS ADDRESS FROM THE MAILING ADDRESS

Yael Laks first husband appears to be Derrick Ramon Fudge also used alias Johnson. He filed to divorce her October 31, 1994 as per docs below. She also tried to file a restraining order for "domestic violence" that same day. She did not get the restraining order. Case numbers appear to be the same. LD is valley domestic. Perhaps one data retrieval system mixed up "D" as "divorce" when it is "domestic." At the very least this guy was her boyfriend if not her husband. He was a drug dealer and user. He's been arrested in Utah and Florida. Born November 1, 1961. They got divorced in 1994. Yael Laks claims she and her buddy were actors. I see no evidence of Yael Laks, Ellie Laks, Rachel Laks being an actress. This guy was definitely not an actor. He never went past high school. Derrick was a drug dealer. Derrick R Fudge seems to have cleaned up his act and found god. He comes from a very religious family. He's back in Ohio where he is from and has kids and grand kids. Here is his photo. There are many arrests, mugshots online. One mug shot is just of him passed out in his cell. He was arrested for "Derrick Johnson was arrested on 5/15/1998 in Polk County, Florida and charged with poss coc wit sell/del fta psi invest, sale coc fta psi invest, poss drug para fta psi invest, and vop-batt ao 052298 no ptr." He was arrested repeatedly from 1996 to 1998. This seems to be true. I will continue to try to verify but address, date, drug use, name, age...all point to this person. If anyone has any other data, please, give it to me to verify. He and his brother Leonard were also evicted from an apartment.

Yael Laks, Ellie Laks, the gentle barn, my gentle barn, jay weiner
  
Yael Laks, Ellie Laks, the gentle barn, my gentle barn, jay weiner

Yael Laks, Ellie Laks, the gentle barn, my gentle barn, jay weiner
I put in birthday 11-1-61 to make sure I have the same person. Yes. 417 is drawing a weapon other than a gun in a threatening way. 653 m a is threatening phone calls. 594 is damaging property, graffiti. 288 c 1 is a sexual act on a minor. More of his record and more mugshots. He was arrested for selling cocaine. He went to prison for over a year. He hasn't had a problem with the law I don't think since 1999.

Gentle Barn, Derrick Fudge, criminal record, description made by police




Name:  FUDGE , DERRICK   RAMON  
Case Number  LAV94P09248-01Filed At Van Nuys Courthouse West
Filing Date 11/22/1994Limited Jurisdiction
CountCharge
Section
Charge
Statute
DispositionDisposition
Date
01417(A)(1)Penal CodeGuilty/Convicted03/06/1998
02653M(A)Penal CodeDismissed or Not Prosecuted03/06/1998
03594(A)Penal CodeDismissed or Not Prosecuted03/06/1998
If the Charge Statute link is available, click on it to search for the Charge description.



Name:  FUDGE , DERRICK   RAMON  
Case Number  LASPA030012-01Filed At San Fernando Courthouse
Filing Date 04/20/1998Limited Jurisdiction
CountCharge
Section
Charge
Statute
DispositionDisposition
Date
01288(C)(1)Penal CodeDismissed or Not Prosecuted03/09/1999
If the Charge Statute link is available, click on it to search for the Charge description.

Go here and put in the address "6050 Corbin" and you can see the reports.



Ellie Laks' husband Jay Lawrence Weiner has a criminal record. He was charged in 1995 with having a concealed weapon without a permit. I verified this is the same person with the same birth date of August 29, 1971. He tried to get it expunged. He wants to hide his past. Ellie should have investigated Jay a little. He has been evicted along with his ex-wife. She filed for divorce. He's been sued in small claims court many times. He didn't show and lost. His business Jellies was sued. It's a suspended corporation. He has many judgments and liens against him here in Los Angeles and San Diego for cars, credit cards, purchases. I don't see where he was ever a successful business person. He lived with his dad for quite a while even when married.

Name:  WEINER , JAY   LAWRENCE  
Case Number  LAH6HL00109-01Filed At Hollywood Courthouse
Filing Date 01/17/1996Limited Jurisdiction
CountCharge
Section
Charge
Statute
DispositionDisposition
Date
0112025(A)(2)Penal CodeDismissed or Not Prosecuted03/11/1996
0212031(A)Penal CodeDismissed per 1203.4 P.C.03/18/1999
If the Charge Statute link is available, click on it to search for the Charge description.

If you check LA County and her current address, you will see zone LCA11 which is Los Angeles County light agricultural. Here is what's allowed there along with restrictions. She needs a conditional use permit but doesn't appear to have one.She is running a business on the property. She's only allowed eight farm animals per acre. She has almost five acres so she can have at most 40 animals. She actually probably only uses two acres for animals so she can have 16 animals. She's also only allowed three dogs and three cats or else she needs a kennel permit. I doubt she has that permit either. She has way more animals than this. Perhaps that is why she has animals on another lot which she doesn't allow the public to see. She's basically running a petting zoo that also has events. As I read this even with a conditional use permit she can't have a petting zoo, zoo, animal exhibit on this property.



Her mom and dad bought Ellie Laks the house on 6050 Corbin. She never would have qualified for a loan. The property was not free and clear. Then her parents signed the property over to Ellie real name Yael Laks. Ellie then sold it for $460,000.

I searched their current property. They are zoned LCA11 which is light agricultural. They don't have a conditional use permit to run a business there either. They also have more pigs than allowed. The animal structures are too close to the road and neighbors. I think the structures are also too close to their house.

Gentle Barn in violation of Pennsylvania law for soliciting donations when they are not a registered non-profit in Pennsylvania. They didn't even respond.They could be fined.


Ellie posted this last night on my Facebook page. I posted the lawsuits, investigations, complaints.... How can all those things be "lies?" Facts are facts. I have a feeling with the tax evasion and donor fraud charges she and her current husband will end up in prison. Her board of directors should be worried. They approved the tax returns.

Ellie Laks, Yael Laks, the Gentle Barn, book, rescue, con, fraud
In the last few days at least 50 people contacted me and said "thanks for posting the truth about this person." They gave me even more information about this group.There have been many unexplained deaths. When volunteers ask what happened to certain animals the volunteers are banned from the property. This person is identical to ***, i.e. fake rescues, made up stories, attacking people, tax evasion, donor fraud, taking money to build things then never building them, books bragging about all the fake wonderful things they're done, extreme marketing, begging for donations in every single post, selling everything to make money, only caring about money and not animals, animals dying, lack of proper care, many complaints by many people, lack of permits, building violations...

This has to do with the 2008 hoarder intervention in Lancaster. I remember this well. It was a bit of a clusterfuck. You have real rescuers then you have people like the Gentle Farm who just want press so they can get donations. Never Cry Wolf rescue does the same thing.

"Before running away he signed all the animals over to A wish for animals. Not being in the market to help farm animals. Toni called in Gentle barn rescue. They took a super sweet dog named Annie who had her face messed up and is missing an eye and pasted her on the front of their website asking for help with medical bills. Annie has been like that for 7 months and animal control had seen her and so had a vet. Gentle barn is asking for donations for her medical bills but she needs none. The wound on her face is actually a scar. Long healed from long ago. Not only have Gentle barn not removed the farm animals, But they have recieved $60,000 in donations that they have pocketed. They have come into the mill and tried to take over, when they have no jurisdiction considering the animals are now the property of A wish for animals.
Not only have they been all over the Television protomoting their supposed "Good Deeds" but they have been stealing from A wish for animals and the local people who have donated to this horrible trajedy. A wish for animals is a wonderful lifesaving rescue who is overwhelmed at this moment with too many dogs to handle. They are running out of donations and running out of resources because Gentle Barn is a money hungry Fraud who is trying to make a buck from a horrible situation. they are literally stealing food and medicine out of the mouths of the animals who so desperatly need it. So in saying this I ask you to please stand up and help me tell gentle barn where they can SHOVE IT."

In the above situation Animal Acres took the farm animals. They are now called Farm Sanctuary LA.

Read the one star reviews. They're all from ex-volunteers, employees. They doubt the finances and animal care records. Animals get sick and it looks like Ellie lets them die. Ellie had a horse calf with a deformity and did not fix it. I guess she wanted people to see her poor deformed horse? There are sooooooo many bad reviews here. She allowed the animals to breed! She said some arrived pregnant but the arrival dates, gestation periods, birth dates don't add up. ***oes this same thing with her lies about fruit bat babies just to get donations. Such story tellers.


UPDATE!!! May 18, 2014. This is totally insane. I read the intro and first chapter of Ellie Laks' book My Gentle Barn. I thought she sounded deranged. Turns out her mother who bought her the farm and brother both posted reviews saying Ellie Laks fabricated her history just to play the victim so she'd have a good story to sell the book and get donations. I thought this but had no proof. Brother said she smoked crack and joined a cult. She was a spoiled child with a wild streak. Others posted that after crack Ellie joined Narcotics Anonymous which is in the book. Below is a comment by Ellie's brother Dan. Her mother also comments and confirms the truth. Her mother stated that if Ellie were not her daughter she would sue for libel. I don't blame her.


I read the first four chapters of Ellie Laks' book last night. She admits she was a crack addict for three years. She admits she is "different." She's an obsessive compulsive and admits to major hoarding tendencies and actually hoarding animals. She said when she had her first child she decided to cut back on rescuing cats and dogs. She realized she was keeping too many and not adopting them out. She then adopted out all animals except eight dogs and 20 plus cats. Legally she could have only had three dogs and three cats where she was living. Even though she lived on agriculture property you can't have a kennel within 500 feet of a residence. She never would have gotten a kennel permit. She admits to being an illegal animal hoarder. She admits she has a trust fund from her parent's divorce. She admits her parents helped her buy her house and get her straight and clean. After all that help she trashed them in her book?

Ellie Laks goes on to state that she then started hoarding farm animals. She hoarded so many, 50 at that time, that she didn't spend enough time with her son or husband. She then called her place The Gentle Barn and had an open house. She said she loved the attention and praise she received so she continued. She also admitted that she saw it as a way to afford to pay for all the animal bills. I'm sure this is what led to the divorce and her husband taking his son. 

In her book My Gentle Barn Ellie Laks admits to exaggerating. She states she communicates with animals through thoughts. They talk to her. Some of these stories are really crazy and very, very hard to believe. She said she had her future read and it came true. She said she was told to watch a movie once a day for 30 days and her financial problems would be over. She admits her neighbor called animal control, health dept, building and safety on her quite a few times. The story about her old neighbor is hard to believe. I can check that out myself. You can have regular pigs in that zone. She admits that having the fire scorch some of her property got her on the news and she got donations. She believes that watching that movie over and over caused that. She admits a local farm animal rescue helped her during the fires but doesn't mention their name or thank them. It was Animal Acres which is now called Farm Sanctuary LA. She admits they had no emergency plan, very irresponsible.

She mentions the 60 dairy cows that needed rescuing which she scrubbed from her website. She said "someone" i.e. her mom and dad, bought her a piece of property. She just needed $100,000 to build a barn. Barns don't cost $100,000. I'm a real estate appraiser. Anyway with this story she goes on Ellen and says she needs $100,000 to build a barn so she can save the dairy cows which will be killed when a dairy farm goes under. AFTER she gets the money she said she called the owner of the cows and he said "business picked up so I won't be closing shop." In actuality the cows never existed. How very convenient. Ellie Laks is just a story teller just li888 Fake, heart breaking rescues of animals. Ellie continues to bad mouth her ex-husband and her family. I don't blame her ex-husband for leaving. I feel bad she didn't give enough attention to her son who may now have issues. She took a parenting class for the second one then finally realized she harmed her son. She blames her parents for that. This book is truly nauseating. Maybe because I'm a local rescuer who has known of these things for years I can see through the bullshit. Oh ya, she mentions her extremely expensive wedding in the book saying it was all Jay's idea.

I noticed that she only changed the names of the people she bad mouthed, i.e. ex-husband. She said he never helped out but that is not the case if you search his real name. She probably didn't want to get sued. She doesn't mention her parents' names. If you were to search their real names,  you will see they are not like the fictional characters in her book. She uses the real names of people whom she writes about positively.

I will try to verify a few things in this book. I doubt I will be able to verify most of her claims.
__________________________

Yesterday The Gentle Barn posted a pic of a baby California ground squirrel they supposedly rescued. Here is their photo post. They state they called different "wild life" rescuers and we all told them to let it die. They did not contact any wildlife rescuers. We are the closest and main squirrel rescue website in the nation. No wildlife rehabber would tell anyone to just let it die. They state it's two weeks old when it's older. It's eyes should be open but it's dehydrated and emaciated so they're closed.

The Gentle Barn, donor fraud, lawsuits, violations, IRS, Attorney General, DOJ
I posted on the pic offering help and even emailed them. No reply. Today they post another photo.

The Gentle Barn, donor fraud, lawsuits, violations, IRS, Attorney General, DOJ
They posted this after I sent a few emails and commented on the post. You can't message them via Facebook. Here they are asking for donations in a round about way.  I made more comments and sent more email offering help. No reply.

They banned me from their page. They finally emailed me saying the baby is fine. I asked if they took it to a rehabber. They said yes. I asked who and they did not reply. I called the only other ones near them. They were not contacted by them.

I then decided to Google them. This is a very corrupt organization. Many lawsuits, investigations by government agencies. The below lawsuit from two employees states they are a fraud. They went on the Ellen DeGeneres show and begged for donations to rescue 60 cows. They got $200,000. Turns out there were no cows and no cow rescue. Based on the lawsuit they spent the money on lavish vacations, a Las Vegas wedding, home furnishings and such. Read the below articles and lawsuits. First case is BC496370. You can look up documents here http://www.lasuperiorcourt.org

Ellie Lakes, Jay Weiner, The Gentle Barn, lawsuit, fraud, scam, donor fraud


Below is a page from the filing. They raised money to rescue 60 cows but never rescued the cows. In fact there were never 60 cows that needed rescuing.
The Gentle Barn, Ellie Lakes, Jay Weiner, donor fraud, 60 cows, ellen degeneres show
More from that website. I saved every page and file.


This pdf proves that Ellie Laks animal stories are fake. I know the one about the squirrel is fake.


Here's just an example how Ellie operates. She will post a photo of a happy looking horse and say "this horse was shot, stabbed, run over by a truck, truck backed up over it, ran over it again, left it for dead, it died, then I rescued it (Actually she bought it from a breeder so she could saddle and ride it herself or else she just swiped a pic of someone else's horse). I spoke to it with my thoughts then gave it a blue green algae and tea tree oil enema. (Gentle Barn paid for it and I made a commission!) It came back from the dead and now cures other horses. In fact even though it's a male horse the horse now lactates and feeds baby horses (and cows, sheep, goats, kittens, birds...) when it sees them. I truly am a miracle healer! I am a celestial being! Truth! Please, donate, donate, donate, donate money to show your love! We take cash, check, credit card, bit coin, paypal, blood, sweat, tears, broken hearts...and boats. We love expensive boats, watches, and shit!!!"

This is what other farm animal rescues do. They will post a photo of a happy looking animal and say "Sammy the sheep says 'hello!' Have a great day!" They won't post the bullshit. They won't do the nasty lying bullshit fake fundraising. It will actually be one  of their rescue animals that receives great care.

Here's an article about all their troubles and investigations by Merritt Clifton of Animal People. Merritt Clifton has been covering the animal world for many years.


Labor investigation 1

Labor investigation 2


Ex-volunteer, member tells their story.

Ellie Lak's original email about the 60 cows. This is a different story than what's in her book. In her book she said she heard 60 dairy cows were going to go to slaughter as a dairy farm was closing. She told this to Ellen DeGeneres. They raised the money. Then Ellie said they built the barn. They did not. Then she said they called the dairy farm a month later and the dairy farm told them they found a way to stay open so they'd be keeping the cows. Then Ellie states she promised to use the money to save 60 different cows. She didn't. She just went and bought two calfs. In the story she gave Best Friends she changes things. She can't keep her lies straight. Now the dairy farm is in Santa Clarita. "After weeks of negotiating with the owner of the dairy farm, The Gentle Barn arranged for the cows to be released into their care. They were too sick to go to slaughter and the owner didn't have the money to get them healthy enough to be transferred to the auction house. In order to save these innocent cows and their babies from death by starvation, dehydration and disease, The Gentle Barn needs immediate financial assistance."

Here's photo of the supposed cows. Santa Clarita is a desert. It doesn't rain very often at all. There are no dairy farms in Santa Clarita. These are not dairy cows. All California dairy cows must have ear tags. I see no tags.

Gentle Barn non-existent 60 dairy cows, Ellie Laks, Jay Weiner, fraud, scam



Attorney General report

This is so bizarre that I had to research to make sure it is real. It is real. That means Ellie Laks is crazy. Extreme paranoia and delusion.She believes she is a being in heaven. I worry about her ability to care for her kids. She is living in a delusional world.


I tracked the certified USPS number on the letter and got this.


December 26, 2012 , 12:11 pm
Delivered
GRANADA HILLS, CA 91344 
Your item was delivered at 12:11 pm on December 26, 2012 in GRANADA HILLS, CA 91344.
December 26, 2012 , 4:45 am
Depart USPS Sort Facility
SANTA CLARITA, CA 91383 
December 26, 2012 , 2:10 am
Processed through USPS Sort Facility
SANTA CLARITA, CA 91383 
December 25, 2012 , 10:46 pm
Processed at USPS Origin Sort Facility
SANTA CLARITA, CA 91383 
December 24, 2012 , 7:23 pm
Depart Post Office
LOS ANGELES, CA 90009 
December 24, 2012 , 6:07 pm
Acceptance
LOS ANGELES, CA 90009 

From someone who used to volunteer there. This is from a public post on facebook.

"As someone who volunteered for the Gentle Barn at a high level for two years (I was the upper barnyard manager every Sunday during public hours and special person to Billy the Goat until his passing, visiting several times a week), I wold love to say that none of this is true. Unfortunately, I believe it is ALL true. Every last sad, heartbreaking allegation.

I had glimpses here and there from the beginning of my tenure that something was off, but it wasn't until the campaign to raise money for the 60 cows was in full swing (this was the campaign that began Ellen DeGeneres involvement) that so many of us finally saw the depth of all that was wrong. That campaign was built around an original plea for these animals that was accompanied by a very sad picture of sick and suffering cows that was said to be taken of the very cows that were to be rescued. That picture, however, was a fake. It was taken a couple years prior by someone connected to the GB and was of cows somewhere else in a completely different situation. (Imagine this person's surprise upon seeing how the picture was now being used.) Using that picture was necessary, however, because those sixty cows did not exist. The entire story was fictionalized. Once the money was raised (and matched 100% by an anonymous donor), all records of the campaign were meticulously and carefully erased from both their website and their Facebook page. Barns were never built and those cows were never mentioned again. (Well, except by many concerned volunteers, each of who was banned for disloyalty after questioning.)

I stayed as long as I could, watching animal after animal suffer with various physical ailments (and sometimes die untreated because as far as any of us could see, those extra funds did not go to existing animal care either) in a barnyard completely overcrowded at the time of my leaving with not only too many animals for the allotted space but animals living together who should NEVER be living together for the safety of all involved. (That is another story in and of itself.) But living conditions like this abound in any facility where the animals are considered, above all else, donation bait. I left on my own accord and was not banned, but the last time I went as a visitor—paying $20 to get in—I was ultimately asked to leave. Shortly thereafter I was blocked from being able to comment on their Facebook page, a fate that has befallen so many former volunteers.

I don't speak publicly on this often, because shining a bad light on any animal rescue organization runs the risk of putting a blight on rescue in general if people become too cynical or weary of non-profits in general after hearing too many stories about rampant fraud. There are, indeed, WONDERFUL organizations working hard—and honestly—to rescue and rehab farmed and domestic animals right here in Southern California (and all over the country). It is just beyond important to extensively vet any non-profit to which you intend to donate your time or your money. It is easy to be duped by emtionally-wrought stories that pull at your heartstrings and it is easy to be duped because most of us want to be involved, to help others, to feel a connection to something bigger and more important than ourselves. The Gentle Barn founders understand both of these things and are masters at manipulating people accordingly. For those of us who still fiercely believe in the importance of the barn's original mission statement, this situation is beyond heartbreaking.

Needless to say, the California Attorney General's investigation remains extensive and ongoing."

I just read the free beginning of her book "The Gentle Barn." Take a read and you will understand why this person is mentally on edge. Read intro and chapter one. As a kid she would accept candy and toys for sexual favors. She didn't seem to relate too well to people, still doesn't. She says she relates to and loves animals. Her parents supposedly would take her animals away from her. Or maybe Ellie let them die or she killed them? She's not giving animals in her care proper care. She is overloaded. 


More lawsuits.

Yael Laks, Ellie Laks, Jay Weiner, The Gentle Barn, lawsuits, compaints
Here is a Yelp review.


"I went there for the first time today.  I think the place orginally started off with the right intentions but has morphed into something else over the years.  You have to make a $10 "donation" per person, give all your personal information and sign away your rights only to be corralled  like the "rescued" animals waiting to get in.  We got there at about 12:45 and they close at 2:00.  Once they finally let you in they stop you again to tell you a little bit about the place and promote everything they have to sell.  Then they tell you to climb the hill to hear the founder talk.  So you sit with the sun beating down on you watching the minutes tick by.  A few minutes after 1 pm she starts her speech then stops a few times to talk to the lizard on the ground.  She tells a story about one of the animals and then goes into a whole rant about how you should have a plant based diet.  I didn't go to this place to be preached to about how I should not eat meat.  If she chooses to be vegan that's great-that's her choice but I don't care to be basically told that non vegetarians are cruel to animals.  But yet as you walk around you notice that the animals are penned in.They are not free to roam around a pasture.  Some aren't comfortable with human interactions yet they put them on display.  Most of the sheep and goats are penned up and away from human contact.  All except 3 horses were kept in metal stalls.

The website says they have 170 animals and make it sound like it will take awhile to get around to see them all.  You get there only to find out that most of the animals are kept on another property.

Just not sure that this place is the best example of the way animals would choose to live if given the choice. With all the entrance fees they collect, all the people who sponsor the animals, and all the voluteers, it feels like it's a great way for the owners to make a fortune under the disguise of saving animals."

I wonder where all the animals are. She said she's saved so many animals but where are they?

I was just notified that there are two properties. The first is where she gives tours at 15825 Sierra, Santa Clarita, CA 91390. She owns this property in only her name Yael Laks. She kept taking equity out until she went into foreclosure. She ended up getting an $800K loan. How if she states she has no income? Sounds like bank fraud. Her husband also has no income and they have three kids.

The Gentle Barn, Yael Laks, Ellie Laks, farm, animal
The second location is 9225 Sierra Highway, Santa Clarita, CA owned by Gentle Barn Foundation bought in 2009 for $1.1M. It's a mobile home on 15 acres.

Gentle Barn, Ellie Laks, Yael Laks, farm, animals
Ellie Laks' book is autobiographical though she didn't mention names. Within a few minutes I patched this together. Her father is Dr Hillel Laks a surgeon at UCLA, mother is author Dr Batya Casper, brother is also a doctor Dr Daniel Laks, brother is artist Guy Ilan Laks. They are all successful and well adjusted besides highly educated. Ellie Laks wrote some truly horrible things about her parents. She started Gentle Barn with her ex-husband Michael Callahan. Her first husband was Derrick Fudge. She tried to get a restraining order on him but didn't. I have yet to absolutely, positively verify this but it appears Derrick Fudge is an African American who is 52 years old and a repeat convicted felon. Name, age, address, legal docs so far add up but I find this hard to believe. Maybe that is the guy she did crack with? This is a seriously and deeply troubled person probably since birth.

Yael Laks, Dr Hillel Laks, Dr Batya Casper, Dr Dan Laks, Guy Ilan Laks, author, doctor, The Gentle Barn, Michael Callahan, Jay Weiner, husband

UPDATE: 0829/14: I sent her and her lawyers a cease and desist. Ellie took down her crazy and defamatory page about me.


08/28/14: Ellie Laks of the Gentle Barn just sent out a totally false and defamatory post about everyone who has ever said anything negative about the Gentle Barn. Ellie Laks admitted she has had major drug issues and mental breakdowns. She also admitted in writing she believes in angels and other crazy things. The Gentle Barn was sued by their employees and had to settle. Animals died at the barn from lack of care. They were neglected to death. Ellie Laks, her husband claim they had no jobs, no income for years. They illegally lived off donations to the Gentle Barn and didn't take a salary or claim income tax. They also have lots of civil litigation and criminal. Below is what Ellie just posted. I sent a cease and desist to her bcc'd to many others. Notice Ellie never sent me a cease and desist, never stated what I wrote was false. She is just telling people to share her defamation to try to harm me and all the others who reported her to authorities. She is adding crazy links of blogs made by mentally ill ***permit. Who would support someone who commits animal cruelty, abuse and neglect? Ellie Lakes of the un-Gentle Barn. I have obviously never been reported for, charged with or convicted of stalking or cyberstalking in my life. I have a perfectly clean record, not even a jay walking ticket. Ellie Laks and Jay Weiner can't say the same.

"The Gentle Barn is under attack from the known cyber stalker, Mary Cummins. Please read this blog so you can know the truth! We do great work in the world and will continue to shine our light and spread our love! Please share!"
http://www.gentlebarn.orgbullshit

Here is the cease and desist I just sent.

from:  Mary Cummins
to:  info@gentlebarn.org
date:  Thu, Aug 28, 2014 at 3:01 PM
subject:  Cease and desist, Gentle Barn, Ellie Yaks

"What you have posted in this blog post is 99% false.

http://www.gentlebarn.org/blog/2014/08/28/we-are-under-attack-by-cyber-stalker-mary-cummins/

It is defamation per se besides harassment. If you do not remove this within 24 hours, you will be guilty of defamation per se with malice. I will then sue you, Ellie Yaks, and the Gentle Barn. Your entire board of directors will be liable for this lawsuit. I will be sending this to your lawyers.

Please, cease and desist from harassing, cyberstalking, defaming, slandering and libeling me. What I posted about you is 100% the truth backed by pure facts and statements from your own mother, brother, ex-employees who sued you and volunteers. 99% of my blog post about you is just copy/past absolute facts with underlying documents. What you posted about me is not only totally false but extremely bizarre.

Mary Cummins

cc: Gentle Barn Attorneys"

#fraud #scam #ellendegeneres #gentlebarn #mygentlebarn #ellielaks #yaellaks #book #drugaddict #crazy #facebook #blog #gentlebarn.org #animalneglect #farn #animal #rescue #animalcruelty #60cows #donation #irs #attorneygeneral
___________________

I saw the posts about these two dogs and thought the same thing. Someone just sent me this. 

"I hope you find this in your "other" facebook mail folder. The Gentle Barn made me very suspicious with their tale of two senior dogs, Charlie and Lacey.  The photos and story that The Gentle Barn has posted speak for themselves. Somewhere in April of 2013, The Gentle Barn claimed to have rescued two senior dogs, Charlie and Lacey, who were relinquished by their owner for euthanasia at the animal shelter for the reasons of incontinence and inability to walk. The posts and photos relating to these two dogs disparage the former owner for unbelievable cruelty. After all, these 14 year old dogs merely needed a diet of Sun Chlorella algae and weekly spa treatments including cold laser, acupuncture, and water therapy to be able to walk --and even run-- again, and to regain their continence. Charlie and Lacey were very popular on Facebook, their photos garnering sometimes thousands likes and hundreds of comments praising the good work and selflessness of The Gentle Barn. The dogs are never standing or walking in any photos that I could find. They are always seated on their rear legs. Here is the photo posted on May 8, after both dogs were euthanized for incontinence and inability to walk: https://www.facebook.com/TheGentleBarn/photos/pb.54967149038.-2207520000.1409270699./10152270102204039/?type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-xpa1%2Fv%2Ft1.0-9%2F10312579_10152270102204039_1720856801161631464_n.jpg%3Foh%3D4e60eda44efa947cf8b50521d8a80e45%26oe%3D545FB44A%26__gda__%3D1417442908_c6785025be312298ff6e8ceb6e8f1a6d&size=640%2C480&fbid=10152270102204039
A photo of the dogs on April 27 claims "Charlie and Lacey were at The Gentle Barn today and were very happy to get lots of deserved attention." No mention of any clue to the fact that the dogs would be put down less than ten days later.
A photo post from April 9, 2014, states:  "Charlie was kept in a backyard his whole life with his best friend, Lacey. When they were 14 years old, arthritic and incontinent they were both taken to the animal shelter to be put down. We didn't think they deserved to go down that way so we took them home to The Gentle Barn and gave them a much deserved bath, good food, Sun Chlorella Algae super food to boost their immune systems, and chiropractic, massage therapy and acupuncture to keep them mobile. Charlie and Lacey are not incontinent anymore and can walk and run and most importantly are loved and cared for and part of our family forever!" 
A mere month later, The Gentle Barn put them down for the very reasons they previously "didn't think they deserved."
In February, almost 10k people "liked" this pic of Lacey being a shill for donations:  https://www.facebook.com/TheGentleBarn/photos/pb.54967149038.-2207520000.1409272453./10152108102594039/?type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Ffbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net%2Fhphotos-ak-xaf1%2Ft1.0-9%2F1925153_10152108102594039_1052332286_n.jpg&size=720%2C960&fbid=10152108102594039 Which goes to show how The Gentle Barn uses animals to generate money, while clearly lying about the animals health.
Please add poor Charlie and Lacey to the story of the cows, the dishonesty, and the lack of integrity of The Gentle Barn and those who profit from it.
Thank you."

Below is the photo they posted with Ellie's comment. 




Gentle Barn, fraud, scam, liars, ellie laks, drug addict, Ellen, murder
Gentle Barn Ellie Lakes fraud, scam liars, animal neglect murder 
If "amazing" Ellie Laks could get these dogs to walk, run, control their bladder why were they euth'd for not being able to walk, control their bladder? I bet Ellie Laks bailed them from the shelter, took some pics, begged for money then euthanized them. She waited a couple of months to tell everyone she had to euth them. Based on these posts I don't think she had them a year. This is what this evil scammer does. She uses animals to make money. Disgusting.

Ellie Laks was actually married to Derrick Fudge. I think she also tried to get a restraining order on him.


Case Type:
DIVORCE
Case Number:
14135
Court:
LA COUNTY, NORTH WEST VAN NUYS
State:
CALIFORNIA

Party Type:
PLAINTIFF
Party Name:
FUDGE DERRICK

Party Type:
DEFENDANT
Party Name:
LAKS YAEL
Filing Date:
10-31-1994


Ellie Laks has liens and judgments against her.


1.
Debtor:
LAKS, YAEL
Address:
26910 SIERRA HWY
SANTA CLARITA CA 91321

Creditor:
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Filing Date:
11-21-2013

Filing Type:
COUNTY TAX LIEN
Case Number:
20131659775
Court:
LA COUNTY / RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
LOS ANGELES
Filing Jurisdiction:
CA
Filing Jurisdiction Name:
CALIFORNIA
Amount:
$307.00

2.
Debtor:
LAKS, YAEL
Address:
26910 SIERRA HWY STE D8
NEWHALL CA 91321

Creditor:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Filing Date:
12-07-2012

Filing Type:
STATE TAX LIEN RELEASE
Case Number:
20131100542
Court:
LA COUNTY / RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
LOS ANGELES

Filing Type:
STATE TAX LIEN
Case Number:
20121884448
Court:
LA COUNTY / RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
LOS ANGELES
Filing Number:
20121884448
Filing Jurisdiction:
CA
Filing Jurisdiction Name:
CALIFORNIA
Release Date:
07-26-2013
Amount:
$42,014.00

3.
Debtor:
LAKS, YAEL
Address:
26910 SIERRA HWY # 318
NEWHALL CA 91321

Creditor:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Filing Date:
01-29-2009

Filing Type:
STATE TAX LIEN RELEASE
Case Number:
20101878683
Court:
LA COUNTY / RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
LOS ANGELES

Filing Type:
STATE TAX LIEN
Case Number:
20090121390
Court:
LA COUNTY / RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
LOS ANGELES
Filing Number:
20090121390
Filing Jurisdiction:
CA
Filing Jurisdiction Name:
CALIFORNIA
Release Date:
12-20-2010
Amount:
$7,768.00

4.
Debtor:
LAKS, YAEL
Address:
26910 SIERRA HWY # 318
SANTA CLARITA CA 91321

Creditor:
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Filing Date:
12-11-2008

Filing Type:
COUNTY TAX LIEN
Case Number:
20082177852
Court:
LA COUNTY / RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
LOS ANGELES
Filing Jurisdiction:
CA
Filing Jurisdiction Name:
CALIFORNIA
Amount:
$435.00

5.
Debtor:
LAKS,YAEL
Address:
26910 SIERRA HWY # 318
SANTA CLARITA CA 91321

Creditor:
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Filing Date:
12-12-2007

Filing Type:
COUNTY TAX LIEN
Case Number:
20072729763
Court:
LA COUNTY / RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
LOS ANGELES
Filing Jurisdiction:
CA
Filing Jurisdiction Name:
CALIFORNIA
Amount:
$467.00

6.
Debtor:
LAKS,YAEL
Address:
26910 SIERRA HWY STE D8
SANTA CLARITA CA 91321

Creditor:
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Filing Date:
12-13-2006

Filing Type:
COUNTY TAX LIEN
Case Number:
062768206
Court:
LA COUNTY / RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
LOS ANGELES
Filing Jurisdiction:
CA
Filing Jurisdiction Name:
CALIFORNIA
Amount:
$452.00

7.
Debtor:
LAKS,YAEL
Address:
26910 SIERRA HWY # 318
SANTA CLARITA CA 91321

Creditor:
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Filing Date:
11-30-2005

Filing Type:
COUNTY TAX LIEN
Case Number:
052918343
Court:
LA COUNTY / RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
LOS ANGELES
Filing Jurisdiction:
CA
Filing Jurisdiction Name:
CALIFORNIA
Amount:
$465.00

8.
Debtor:
LAKS,YAEL
Address:
26910 SIERRA HWY STE D8
SANTA CLARITA CA 91321

Creditor:
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Filing Date:
12-21-2004

Filing Type:
COUNTY TAX LIEN
Case Number:
20043300191
Court:
LA COUNTY / RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
LOS ANGELES
Filing Jurisdiction:
CA
Filing Jurisdiction Name:
CALIFORNIA
Amount:
$497.00

9.
Debtor:
YAKS, YAEL
Address:
26910 SIERRA HWY # 318
SANTA CLARITA CA 91321

Creditor:
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Filing Date:
12-02-2009

Filing Type:
COUNTY TAX LIEN
Case Number:
20091816681
Court:
LA COUNTY / RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
LOS ANGELES
Filing Jurisdiction:
CA
Filing Jurisdiction Name:
CALIFORNIA
Amount:
$381.00

Here are liens, judgments of Ellie's current husband Jay Lawrence Weiner.






Debtor:
WEINER,JAY L
Address:
6442 AMBROSIA DR APT 5408
SAN DIEGO CA 92124

Creditor:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Filing Date:
11-12-1996

Filing Type:
STATE TAX LIEN RELEASE
Case Number:
970572913
Court:
SAN DIEGO COUNTY/RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
SAN DIEGO

Filing Type:
STATE TAX LIEN
Case Number:
960569473
Court:
SAN DIEGO COUNTY/RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
SAN DIEGO
Filing Number:
960569473
Filing Jurisdiction:
CA
Filing Jurisdiction Name:
CALIFORNIA
Release Date:
11-13-1997
Amount:
$114.00

5.
Debtor:
WEINER, JAY L
Address:
6442 AMBROSIA DR APT 5408
SAN DIEGO CA 92124

Creditor:
MONTGOMERY WARD CREDIT CORP
Filing Date:
05-30-1996

Filing Type:
CIVIL JUDGMENT
Case Number:
577573
Court:
SAN DIEGO MUNICIPAL - SAN DIEGO CO
Court State:
CA
Court County:
SAN DIEGO
Filing Jurisdiction:
CA
Filing Jurisdiction Name:
CALIFORNIA
Amount:
$1,382.00
Eviction:
N

6.
Debtor:
WEINER, JAY L
Address:
6442 AMBROSIA DR APT 5408
SAN DIEGO CA 92124

Creditor:
MCT GROUP
Filing Date:
04-23-1996

Filing Type:
CIVIL JUDGMENT
Case Number:
577064
Court:
SAN DIEGO MUNICIPAL - SAN DIEGO CO
Court State:
CA
Court County:
SAN DIEGO
Filing Jurisdiction:
CA
Filing Jurisdiction Name:
CALIFORNIA
Amount:
$1,114.00
Eviction:
N


1.
Debtor:
WEINER, JAY L
Address:
5050 WOODMAN AVE APT 6
SHERMAN OAKS CA 91423

Creditor:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Filing Date:
01-15-2009

Filing Type:
STATE TAX LIEN RELEASE
Case Number:
20111712953
Court:
LA COUNTY / RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
LOS ANGELES

Filing Type:
STATE TAX LIEN
Case Number:
20090059526
Court:
LA COUNTY / RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
LOS ANGELES
Filing Number:
20090059526
Filing Jurisdiction:
CA
Filing Jurisdiction Name:
CALIFORNIA
Release Date:
12-19-2011
Amount:
$14,047.00

2.
Debtor:
WEINER,JAY
Address:
5050 WOODMAN AVE APT 6
SHERMAN OAKS CA 91423

Creditor:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Filing Date:
08-06-1999

Filing Type:
STATE TAX LIEN
Case Number:
991483168
Court:
LA COUNTY / RECORDER OF DEEDS
Court State:
CA
Court County:
LOS ANGELES
Filing Jurisdiction:
CA
Filing Jurisdiction Name:
CALIFORNIA
Amount:
$7,631.00

3.
Debtor:
WEINER, JAY L
Address:
5134 VISTA DEL MONTE AVE
SHERMAN OAKS CA 91403

Creditor:
TONY K TO
Filing Date:
05-29-1997

Filing Type:
SMALL CLAIMS JUDGMENT
Case Number:
97V14280
Court:
VAN NUYS MUNICIPAL - LA COUNTY
Court State:
CA
Court County:
LOS ANGELES
Filing Jurisdiction:
CA
Filing Jurisdiction Name:
CALIFORNIA
Amount:
$800.00
Eviction:
N

And it just gets stranger. Pamela Sue Anderson is a supporter of the Gentle Barn and has visited a few times. Last night she said that "despite having loving parents" she too was "raped by a female baby sitter when she was six, a 25 year old when she was 12" then she was "gang raped by her boyfriend and his friends." She said  "My affinity with animals saved me, they came to me naturally. The trees spoke to me. I prayed to the whales with my feet in the ocean, my only real friends until I had children." Is this contagious? I really hope that did not happen to her. She mentions it out of the blue at the launch party for her non-profit animal advocacy group last night. Is she borrowing a page from Ellie's play book on how to make money with stories? Am I the only person in LA who was not raped by a baby sitter or gang raped?


Looks like she read her speech last night. Here it is in her website. She lists all the charities she's worked with except Gentle Barn. This sounds like Ellie talk.



Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDAMary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildlifer

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit

Monday, October 20, 2014

Animal Advocates' volunteer Mari Shepard passed away

Mari with a giraffe at a friend's place

It is with great sadness that I share the news that Maridean Shepard who'd been a volunteer for Animal Advocates for over ten years and a good friend has passed away. She had been fighting various illnesses over the years, lapsed into a coma and peacefully left this world in her sleep last night. 

Mari was born January 20, 1952. She was from Ventura, California. She was an artist, a drummer, music teacher, wildlife rehabilitator, actor, devout Christian and a good friend to many. She loved rehabbing baby squirrels and tenderly cared for many baby squirrels over the last ten years besides her birds. 

Mari is survived by her sisters Judy (Litteral), Dianne (Herrera), nieces, nephews, all her many Facebook friends and friends from her church. She was preceded in death by her mother Nadine Miller, father Howard Mansfield, brother Don Mansfield, husband Kent Shepard, squirrel Raymond Bartamaeus Jacopo Mansfield and squirrel Buddy Isiah Mansfield. If her family will be having a service, I will post it here. Goodbye, Mari. God has a new angel in heaven. Ray and Buddy will be so happy to see you again.

Mari nursing a baby squirrel



Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDAMary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+

Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.


Google+ Mary Cummins, Mary K. Cummins, Mary Katherine Cummins, Mary Cummins-Cobb, Mary, Cummins, Cobb, wildlife, wild, animal, rescue, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitator, fish, game, los angeles, california, united states, squirrel, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum, coyote, bobcat, manual, instructor, speaker, humane, nuisance, control, pest, trap, exclude, deter, green, non-profit, nonprofit, non, profit, ill, injured, orphaned, exhibit, exhibitor, usda, united states department of agriculture, hsus, humane society, peta, ndart, humane academy, humane officer, animal legal defense fund, animal cruelty, investigation, peace officer, animal, cruelty, abuse, neglect #marycummins #animaladvocates #losangeles #california #wildlife #wildliferehabilitation #wildliferehabilitator #realestate #realestateappraiser #realestateappraisal #lawsuit