Court Denies Brenna Gano’s Motions — But Sets the Stage for Trial

A San Mateo judge rejected attempts by Brenna Gano to overturn a 2022 settlement, citing statute of limitations concerns. Gano argued she was coerced into the agreement without proper accommodations for her disabilities. While the denials were procedural, a full-day trial is set for December 28, 2026, where core issues will be examined.

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The Same Tools

The article examines how tactics for controlling partners in marriage are mirrored in family court environments, highlighting systemic failures to recognize and address coercive control. Through multiple cases, it illustrates how these controlling behaviors persist in legal proceedings, resulting in devastating outcomes for parents and children, often exacerbated by institutional biases and inadequate judicial training.

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The Gatekeeper

Brenna Gano alleges that Samantha Esver-Poon, a Family Court Services counselor in San Mateo County, fabricated agreements and neglected evidence, leading to her estrangement from her son Jacob. Despite ongoing complaints, including violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Esver-Poon remains employed, and the county has yet to address the allegations.

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No One Is Watching: How Montgomery County’s Family Court Operates Without External Oversight, and What Happens to the People Who Notice

An investigation reveals a significant accountability gap in Maryland’s family court system, where civil rights complaints against judges lack external oversight and transparency. Complaints filed are often sealed and unreported, leading to systemic noncompliance without recourse for litigants. This raises critical issues about judicial accountability and the structures that enable potential misconduct.

No One Is Watching: How Montgomery County’s Family Court Operates Without External Oversight, and What Happens to the People Who Notice Read More

The San Mateo Syndicate

A document-driven investigation reveals how a tightly connected network of lawyers, therapists, and a private judge operated inside a single custody case—coordinating decisions, shaping evidence, and extracting more than $350,000 while independent advocacy became nearly impossible.

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They’re Adults Now. He Still Can’t Call Them.

Marc Fishman’s children are no longer caught in a custody battle — they’re adults. And yet the silence remains. His case exposes a reality rarely discussed: when parental alienation succeeds, it doesn’t end. It becomes permanent.

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The ‘Mom Yells’ Playbook

A two-word claim — “mom yells” — became the foundation for a seven-year custody battle that ended in total estrangement. This investigation traces how a narrative, once introduced into the family court system, can be repeated, reinforced, and ultimately weaponized until it replaces documented reality.

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The Mother the System Called the Problem

On Parental Alienation Awareness Day, Rhonda Reyna’s story exposes a disturbing inversion inside the family court system: the very label meant to protect children from manipulation is increasingly used against the parent raising legitimate safety concerns. As documented warnings go ignored and protective actions are reframed as “alienation,” the system meant to safeguard families instead becomes the mechanism separating them.

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The Ambush

Brenna Gano’s tumultuous experience in San Mateo County family court culminated in a misleading Zoom mediation on February 15, 2022, where she faced undue pressure to sign a Memorandum of Agreement regarding custody and finances. This occurred amid a financial disparity and lack of proper legal representation, leading to claims of duress and calls for the agreement to be set aside.

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