The two sons and wife of prominent local businessman Larry Shehadey have agreed to let Fresno County's Public Guardian be his permanent conservator, a decision that avoids a potentially ugly court battle over the patriarch's care.
Shehadey, who built Producers Dairy into one of Fresno's most successful businesses, is 101 years old. Family members have said he suffers from dementia.
Last year, the Public Guardian -- which provides custodial care for people ruled incompetent to handle their day-to-day affairs -- began an investigation of June Lattanzio, who is Shehadey's wife. The two married in May 2001.
Dairyman Larry Shehadey and his wife, June Lattanzio, attended the annual Excellence in Business Awards luncheon in June 2004 at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Fresno. Shehadey's wife and two sons have settled a legal dispute over Shehadey's conservatorship. The Producers Dairy icon is 101 years old.
The agency's investigation centered on Lattanzio's treatment of Shehadey and began after complaints from Shehadey family members were received.
The county agency alleged in court papers that Lattanzio, 76, isolated Shehadey from friends and family and even threatened to move him out of the country.
At the time, Shehadey was living with Lattanzio, but the Public Guardian sought successfully to become his temporary conservator. He was moved out of the home he shared with Lattanzio, and the agency took responsibility for his daily care.
Not long afterward, Lattanzio and Shehadey's two sons -- John, 69, and Richard, 66 -- filed competing court briefs seeking to gain control of Shehadey's life by becoming his permanent conservator.
A court trial on the matter was set for earlier this month, but papers filed in Fresno County Superior Court showed the matter was resolved before the trial started.
Both sides declined to comment.
"The matter has been resolved, and the parties have mutually agreed not to speak further to the press," said Fresno attorney Marcus Magness, who represented John and Richard Shehadey.
Earlier this year, Magness had indicated both John and Richard Shehadey were happy with the care provided by the Public Guardian. They only sought to become their father's permanent conservator because their stepmother had filed documents seeking the same.
"We're happy with the status quo," Magness said at the time. "It's not going to do anybody any good to set this for a public trial. We're all wanting the best for Larry."
Shehadey has around-the-clock care provided by caregivers overseen by the Public Guardian.
But earlier this year, Lattanzio's attorney said she was in the best position to care for her husband.
"She's his wife," Los Angeles County attorney Michael Barth said at the time. "She loves him. She nurtures him. No matter what anybody says, she's madly in love with him."
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