WARREN Trial over money left to Leon-Games is set

Attorneys said they would talk to a magistrate to try to resolve the matter.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A trial to determine the authenticity of a will of a deceased city man that left the bulk of his estate to Patricia Leon-Games, former city treasurer, will go forward, lawyers say.
Atty. James Fredericka, one of the attorneys representing Maria Bernat, a daughter of the deceased, told Probate Judge Thomas Swift during a hearing Thursday that no settlements have been reached, and depositions of Leon-Games and other witnesses have been taken.
A June 25 trial date has been scheduled.
The attorneys for both sides, however, said they would talk to a court magistrate about trying mediation. If the case is not settled, the trial will take place, attorneys noted.
Bernat is contesting the will of her father, Tadeusz Stefanowicz.
Bernat's attorneys also told Judge Swift they plan to have a handwriting expert testify during the trial. The expert will be asked if the signature on the will is Stefanowicz's.
What's in will
Court documents show the will dated Jan. 24, 2002, leaves $2,500 to Stefanowicz's two sisters, $5,000 to his grandson and $100 to his daughter. The rest of the $257,000 estate was left to Leon-Games.
Leon-Games, who is running for mayor, did not attend the hearing.
After the hearing, Atty. Louis Vennitti, who represents Leon-Games, said his client is allowed to place her political signs in Stefanowicz's yard but added that the decision "may not be in good taste."
"Ted always let me put the signs in his yard and he was going to campaign for me," Leon-Games said, when reached after the hearing. "I put the signs there because Ted wouldn't have minded."
Leon-Games said she was friends with Stefanowicz, who lived on Oakdale Drive Northwest.
Stefanowicz, 71, died May 9, 2002. Family members believed at the time of his death that he did not leave a will, court records state. Atty. Donald R. Ford Jr. was appointed estate administrator.
Will was found
A few months after Stefanowicz's death, the will was found in the freezer portion of his refrigerator, court records state.
A typewriter and cartridge found at Stefanowicz's home has been placed in a safe-deposit box.
sinkovich@vindy.com