San Mateo County Archives

The Therapist the Court Ordered

June 2, 2026June 6, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Dr. Rebecca Bailey, a family therapist, has faced numerous complaints regarding her controversial practice, Transitioning Families, which reunites families amid troubled custody disputes, often in abusive contexts. Critics claim her methods prioritize affluent parents, sidelining protective ones, while courts continue to endorse her, perpetuating a flawed system linked to a broader problematic industry.

3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / California / California Watch / California's Broken Public Defense System / Criminal / Family Court / Family Court Reform / The Reyna Files

The Criminalist and the Coerced Plea

May 27, 2026June 7, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Former criminalist Rhonda Reyna once testified for prosecutors in homicide cases. Years later, she says the same justice system ignored exculpatory evidence, pushed her into a no contest plea, and helped separate her from her daughter. Part one of Riptide’s investigation into California’s broken public defense system.

The Gatekeeper

May 19, 2026May 19, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

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.

3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Brenna Gano Case / California / California Watch / Court Corruption / Family Court Reform / Institutions / Legal Reform / The California Custody Cartel

The Ambush

April 21, 2026April 21, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - 1 Comment

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.

3 - Investigations / 4 - Cases / Brenna Gano Case / California / California Watch / Court Corruption / Family Court Reform / Institutions / The California Custody Cartel

Inside the California Custody Cartel

April 6, 2026April 7, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Brenna Gano’s experience in California’s family court highlights a troubling system where justice is influenced by financial interests. Misled and pressured into signing agreements, she faced excessive costs and neurological biases that labeled her as unstable. Her case exemplifies a broader pattern of exploitation for profit within family court practices, jeopardizing families’ well-being.