TX: Austin attorney files as attorney for alleged perpetrator

By Sarah Stultz | Albert Lea Tribune
Published Tuesday, December 9, 2008
http://www.albertleatribune.com/news/2008/dec/09/austin-attorney-files-attorney-alleged-perpetrator/

An Austin attorney has filed representation papers in Freeborn County District Court as the lawyer for one of the two adults charged in the case of alleged abuse at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea.

Lawrence Maus, of Baudler Baudler Maus & Blahnik LLP, will serve as the lawyer for Albert Lea High School graduate Brianna Broitzman, 19, who faces 11 counts related to the alleged abuse, including assault in the fifth degree and criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult.

A lawyer for Ashton Larson, 18, who faces 10 similar counts, has not yet been filed, as of Tuesday morning.

According to the Baudler Baudler Maus & Blahnik Web site, Maus has specialized in the practice of personal injury and criminal defense for the past 30 years.

His areas of practice are personal injury, criminal litigation and family law.

The Web site stated he has extensive jury trial experience. He is a member of the Austin High School sports hall of fame.

Maus declined to comment to the Tribune late Monday afternoon, saying he needs to review all of the reports involved before he makes any kind of statement.

The details of the allegations surfaced after the release of the Department of Health’s report in August that concluded four teenagers were involved in verbal, sexual and emotional abuse of 15 residents at the nursing home in Albert Lea. The residents suffered from mental degradation conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

On Dec. 1, Broitzman and Larson were charged as adults in the case, along with four others who were charged as juveniles for mandatory failure to report suspected abuse. All of the teenagers are now adults.