Judge to consider oversight of Zsa Zsa Gabor

LOS ANGELES - The Associated Press

In this 1978 file photo, Hungarian-born American actress Zsa Zsa Gabor is shown. AP photo

Attorneys for Zsa Zsa Gabor's daughter and husband are scheduled to appear for the first time before a judge who is considering whether the ailing Hungarian-born actress needs independent oversight of her finances and medical care.

Wednesday's hearing is the first time attorneys for the two sides will argue their case before Superior Court Judge Reva Goetz, who is being asked by Gabor's daughter to impose a conservatorship.

Constance Francesca Hilton petitioned to be named her mother's conservator in March, but Gabor's husband Frederic von Anhalt wants the request denied. An independent attorney has already logged at least 89 hours evaluating the case to provide Goetz with information for her ruling.

Hilton claims von Anhalt is keeping her mother heavily sedated and may be mismanaging her money, accusations that Gabor's husband of 25 years vehemently denies. In a court filing, he claims that Hilton has created financial problems for Gabor in the past and that he is providing the best possible care.

Gabor, who is confined to her bed and has been in poor health for months, will not attend the hearing.
A doctor who has evaluated her wrote in a court filing that Gabor's well-being is closely tied to her remaining in a familiar environment.

"Continued access to familiar persons and environment are crucial to her comfort and maintenance of her continued health," Dr. Debra Judelson wrote in a report submitted last month.

"She is aware of her own bedroom and is calm and well cared for by husband with assistance of two aides," Judelson wrote.

Hilton, who is seeking access to medical and financial information that von Anhalt has refused to give her, is open to having a third-party act as her conservator, her attorney Kenneth Kossoff has said. Von Anhalt has stated in court filings that he should be appointed conservator if Goetz rules one is necessary.

Gabor, a sexpot of the 1950s and 1960s, has been in declining health and didn't make an appearance at a February birthday party hosted at her mansion.