NY Post on Judge Phillips Attack...CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

Part III - Judge Phillips...Today's New York Post covers the latest on the disgraceful abuse of a Judge, allowed by a corrupt system: EVEN JUDGES AREN'T SAFE!!....

JUDGE MONEY MELEE By ALEX GINSBERG

September 3, 2007 -- Court-appointed guardians for Alzheimer's-stricken ex-Judge John Phillips failed to file any income taxes for their elderly ward for more than five years - running up a million-dollar bill to the IRS, according to court papers.

In a flurry of strongly worded motions, current guardian James Cahill has slammed two predecessors, Ray Jones and Frank Livoti, for filing no taxes on Phillips' multimillion-dollar estate, which includes some dozen buildings in Brooklyn. In late August, Cahill noted that the judge - an incapacitated person, or "I.P." - filed his own taxes right up until the time he was declared mentally unfit.

"It appears that the I.P. was able to perform his obligation despite the disarray of his affairs and the issues regarding his competence," Cahill noted in an Aug. 22 motion. "Mr. Jones should at least be expected to perform the same task as his former ward."

But Jones said the nonpayment of taxes was the best course considering the judge's ever-dwindling funds. "My decision not to file income taxes was based upon an inability to obtain revenues," he said. Last week, in court, Jones said he believed Cahill was overestimating Phillips' tax bill and added that he would resist turning over documents that might help his successor prepare the filings.

The accusation set off the judge overseeing the problem-plagued guardianship, Michael Pesce. "I'm not concerned about that," a clearly irked Pesce cut in. "You should not be concerned about that. Your obligation is to turn over those documents so Mr. Cahill can perform a task you should have performed."

Meanwhile, on other fronts, Phillips' situation appears to be improving slowly. The court moved him from the Bronx nursing home where he was a virtual prisoner to a more relaxed setting in Park Slope closer to a devoted group of friends who continue to look after him.

Lawyers have also succeeded in reversing questionable sales of three of his buildings.

alex.ginsberg@nypost.com