CT Family Court Uses and Abuses Parental Alienation – Ask Luigi DiRubba

In Ct Family Court, 'the best interest of the children' means the best interest of the family law attorney's children.

Frank Report is investigating the divorce and custody case of chiropractor Luigi DiRubba and his wife, Anna Maria DiRubba. Luigi has not seen his children in five years.

Anna Maria was married to her chiropractor husband, Luigi, for 17 years. The couple had six children. During their marriage, there were no child abuse or domestic violence complaints.

Luigi 

When Anna filed for divorce in 2016, she simultaneously made allegations of domestic violence and child endangerment. DiRubba was removed from their house and arrested.

Over the next few years, Anna Maria had police arrest Luigi five more times. Based on the arrests, the court issued protective orders against him.

Prosecutors dismissed every charge and expunged the records because Anna Maria and her attorney could not provide evidence other than her word.

But as soon as prosecutors dismissed one protective order, she made another criminal complaint and got another protective order.

DiRubba tried to file complaints against his wife for making false reports to law enforcement. But the one-year statute of limitations ran out before the courts resolved the cases.

Anna Maria contacted the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and made allegations of abuse and neglect against her husband. DCF took Anna Maria’s word without interviewing Luigi or the children, and submitted their findings to the courts.

DiRubba was mandated to participate in a domestic violence diversion program if he wanted to see his children with supervised visitation. CT Family Court ordered DiRubba to pay $210,000 annual child and spousal support. After three years, a judge reduced that amount to $110,000 per year. He ordered Luigi to pay his ex-wife’s legal expenses, $135,000, to a court-ordered Guardian Ad Litem and awarded her the house.

He was defending himself criminally and fighting to see his children. It cost DiRubba over $1.5 million.

Anna Maria decided Luigi should not see the children even with a visitation supervisor, according to a 2017 report written by psychologist James Connolly.

Defending himself criminally and battling over the right to see his children, which he supported, cost DiRubba over $1.5 million.
Anna Marie decided Luigi should not see the children even with a supervisor, according to a 2017 report written by psychologist James Connolly.

He wrote, “Anna Maria continues to obstruct Luigi’s visitation with the three youngest children to such an extent that the visits are substantially disrupted… Anna Maria needs to demonstrate from this time forward that she can become an emotionally temperate caregiver for her children who will no longer obstruct Luigi’s access to the children and will cease to infect them with emotional contagion which has the effect of increasing their fear of their father and inducing a desire in them to avoid contact and relationship building with him.”

The court dismissed the report.

In December 2020, DCF reversed its 2016 decision that DiRubba abused his children.

CT State Hearing Officer, Attorney Robin D. O’Shea wrote: “The credible evidence in the record reveals that [Luigi] and his former wife were in the initial stages of a contentious separation and divorce when the Department first became involved with the family in February 2016. Prior to that, there had been no reported concerns to the Department… The reliable evidence also demonstrates that [Anna Marie] fabricated or embellished [Luigi’s] behaviors to suit her own agenda.”

The judge denied DiRubba’s motion to admit the DCF reversal.
Anna Maria refused to allow the children to participate in reunification therapy, and the courts denied three motions by DiRubba to let him engage in reunification therapy with his children.

Recently, Anna Marie sold the house in CT that Luigi bought and paid for, which the court handed her. She moved with the children to Florida. Luigi lost contact with all six children.

It is curious that when there is credible evidence of parental alienation by a mother like Anna Maria DiRubba, CT Family Court does not flip custody to the father.

On the other hand, they quickly destroyed the happiness of three children and their mother, Karen Riordan, when her husband, Chris Ambrose, took all the marital assets and cried parental alienation.

When she’s smiling, the whole court smiles with her – except the parent she is opposing. Marianne Charles knows how to get her way in court – or else.The answer may lie in the attorneys. In the DiRubba case, Anna Marie had the well-connected Marianne Charles, whose word is the command of the judges who sit on her cases.

Ambrose had Nancy Aldrich, whose state senator son sat on the powerful judicial appointment committee.

Riordan and DiRubba’s attorneys knew which side the bread was buttered.

It works that way in CT Family Court, where the dictum “in the best interest of the children” means the lawyers’ own children, not their clients’ children.

In these two cases alone, lawyers, GALs, custody evaluators, therapists, and visitation supervisors had about $3 million to cut up for their efforts to give the children to lying and abusive parents.

While their clients’ children suffer, the children of the court actors have the best of everything.

And why not, like they all say in court, “in the best interest of the children.”

About the author

Frank Parlato

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  • It is estimated that false allegations of abuse account for 79% of the cases doing family court proceedings( Ross, and blush 1990; Fergeson et al, 2018; Webb et al 2021)
    False alligation‘s or abuse or acts of aggression with the aim of permanently, severing the parent/child relationship. Parental alienating behaviors are acts of coercive control, and a serious form of child abuse, psychological child abuse. ( Harrman & Mathewson 2020)
    The most ruthless and evil act in the narcaccist parents tool box. Usually committed by Narcaccist Parent’s who also suffer from Borderline Personality & Aniti social personality disorders. There is no empathy for the damage it does to their own child, it’s is done purely to sever contact in the cruelest of ways.

  • Did you receive consent from both parties to publish court sealed documents online? You will end up like Paul Boyne.

  • People who alienate their child from a loving parent often exhibit identifiable personality disorders, such as borderline and narcissistic personality disorders. While labelling these individuals as having personality disorders may seem like an attack, it is essential to recognise that they need help rather than pity. Behind their harmful behaviours, such as emotional abuse and coercive control, is an inner core of fear, inadequacy, vulnerability, and worthlessness that drives their actions. Understanding the mental health issues and personality disorders behind parental alienation can guide interventions and support systems to address these issues effectively.⁠

    Statistics on the prevalence of personality disorders among alienating parents can be challenging to obtain, as diagnosing personality disorders often requires in-depth psychological assessments and evaluations. Studies and expert observations indicate a higher prevalence of individuals with borderline and narcissistic personality traits among alienating parents.⁠

    Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterised by difficulties managing emotions, unstable relationships, impulsive behaviour, and a fear of abandonment. These traits can manifest in intense and unstable relationships, including the parent-child relationship, contributing to alienation.⁠

    Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) involves a grandiose sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy, and a constant need for admiration and validation. Alienating parents with NPD may manipulate and control their children to maintain a sense of power and control over them, leading to the alienation of the other parent.

    While it is essential to recognise the internal struggles of people with personality disorders, addressing the root causes of their behaviour and the impact it has on the targeted parent and child is equally crucial. Unfortunately, many alienating parents blame the targeted parent, make false allegations, and subject them to psychological abuse, which can be emotionally devastating. Alienating parents typically struggle with self-reflection and are often resistant to seeking help to address their behaviour. As a result, the cycle of harmful and abusive actions towards the targeted parent and the child continues.

    Convincing them to seek help can be challenging even though if they could break free from harmful patterns, it would create healthier environments for their children. Simultaneously, interventions should prioritise the well-being of the child and the targeted parent, recognising the pain and distress they experience due to the alienation. Acknowledging the complexities of parental alienation, particularly when personality disorders are involved, is crucial in developing more effective strategies to address this damaging phenomenon and promote healthier family dynamics.
    Charlie McCready

    #charliemccready #9stepprogram #parentalalienationisreal #parentalalienationawareness #parentalalienation #alienatedchild #alienatedmother #alienatedparent #alienatedfather #rejectedparent #rejectedfather #rejectedmother #highconflictcoparenting #coparenting #coparentingwithanarcissist #highconflictdivorce #divorce #childabuse #FamilyCourt #familylaw #narcissisticabuseawareness #narcissisticabuserecovery #narcissist #narcissisticabusesurvivor #narcissisticpersonalitydisorder #narcissismawareness #narcissism

  • Let’s focus on the courts. We all want to have justice in our case. At the moment three children appear to be in danger ⚡! Once they are safe we can demand justice for all!

      • When one look at the true facts and various reports from professionals Dr DiRubba is all but crazy. He is a loving father fighting to see his children. The only person crazy here is the wife thinking she can get away with this. The children will realize soon enough whats the truth and she will be sitting all alone with nothing but regret.

      • Funny, all court records – phycology reports – indicate that absolutely nothing is wrong with Luigi Drubba’s mental health. On the other hand, reports from expert phycologist clearly indicates its the mother that urgently needs help.

      • To steep so low to even mention. His mom who is sick and surely misses her grandchildren is really needing serious mental help. You should be in a padded room for the mentally disturbed and they should throw away the key. It seems the same person is writing all these really pathetic comments and let me bet ya dollars to donuts its the wife. Now maybe your momma cam help you out. Ohh well as they say what hoes around cones around.

  • False Allegations of Abuse During Divorce: The Role of Alienating Beliefs
    https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/false-allegations-of-abuse-during-divorce-the-role-of-alienating-beliefs
    “False allegations of abuse are an all-too-common phenomenon during divorce and child custody proceedings. One parent fabricates a false allegation against the other parent to gain leverage in court and to undermine the parent-child relationship going forward. The frequency of false allegations in custody cases is not fully understood, with estimates ranging from 2% to 35% of all cases involving children.1 Whatever the percentage, attorneys, judges, and mental health experts all know firsthand that it is a vexing problem in court cases. And nothing can disrupt, sidetrack, or impede a case more than an allegation of abuse that eventually proves to be false.”

    Here are 7 common alienating beliefs that occur in false allegations:

    1. “I am afraid our child will love you more than me and will want to live with you.”
    2. “I want my child all to myself.”
    3. “If you don’t want me, you don’t get our child, either.”
    4. “I want to exact revenge on you, and what better way than to deprive you of your child.
    5. “I don’t want my child to be anything like you.”
    6. “I’ve been the real parent in this family, not you.”
    7. “I don’t want my child to love their new stepparent because I might be pushed out.”

  • March 10, 2016
    By Lauren Sievert
    Record-Journal staff
    FacebookTwitterEmail
    CHESHIRE — A local man charged with risk of injury to a minor was released on $7,500 bond and is scheduled to appear at court next week.

    Luigi DiRubba, 49, of 33 Chamberlain Court, was arrested on March 3 and also charged with disorderly conduct.

    On Feb. 5, police were called to DiRubba’s home for a 911 hangup. When the dispatcher called back, a man answered saying “everything is alright” but yelling was heard in the background, according to a police report. Officers spoke with DiRubba and a woman in the home and charged him with disorderly conduct. There were also six children present in the home.

    As DiRubba was preparing to leave, the woman gave police a computer flash drive with images and a video. The video showed one of the children holding an injured eye and indicating DiRubba caused the injury, the report said.

    DiRubba is scheduled to appear at Meriden Superior Court on March

  • This is called court assisted child abuse giving the mother and her connected attorney carte blanche because pockets are being lined utilizing the children as pawns for financial and custody incentive.

  • Lying about the acts of the other parent in a way which harms his or her reputation and results in actual injury can constitute defamation. Malicious behavior by a parent can also impact parenting plans and custody arrangements as we see her in this case. no parent is perfect BUT to denigrate one for financial and custody is disgusting and vile. Poor excuse of a human being including her cesspool vulture of an attorney who should be disbarred…
    false allegations cause personal distress, anxiety and destroy lives INCLUDING the one making them, all has a way of revolving back to the CAUSE .
    The Emotional effects are severe especially on the children being groomed as the parentectomy evolves. False accusations can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, depression, and fear… hence F*cked up emotional and mental states.
    Victims (targeted parent and children) suffer feelings of anger or betrayal, particularly cause the victims had trusted the person who makes the false allegations (the truth eventually unfolds). The psychological impact is extremely serious and long lasting on the children, they are half of both parents.

    • If you abuse children they are going to be anxious, flustered and emotionally distraught. Stop trying to legalize child abuse. Stop blaming the other parent for the damage your own behavior has caused. Stop the psychologist who are further victim blaming the children for screwed up parents

      • Child abuse has already been legalized when allegations by one parent with no evidence. touche pussycat…

      • https://psychlaw.net/brainwashing-techniques-used-by-alienating-parents/
        Brainwashing Techniques used by Alienating Parents
        “Programming” and “Brainwashing” are two terms used by Dr. Stanley Clawar and Brynne Rivlin [1] to describe the methods and techniques used by alienating parents to manipulate their children into rejecting and/or hating the target parent. According to Clawar & Rivlin (2013), “programming and brainwashing is a process (intentional and unintentional) whereby a parent … attempts to limit, damage, and interfere with the love, contact, and image of the target parent” (p. 9). In their 25-year study of 1000 divorced/separated families commissioned by the American Bar Association, they identified 12 brainwashing techniques used by alienating parents (Clawar & Rivlin, 2013, pp. 31-63);

        Denial-of-Existence Technique ~ One of the basic techniques parents use to assault the character of the other parent is to deny or not acknowledge the social existence of the other parent. The manner of denial can vary greatly. One common technique is simply never to talk about the other parent. By excluding any discussion of the other parent or ignoring the topic when raised by the child, the brainwashing parent can send a subtle message to the child that the other parent is not significant. He or she does not exist in our conversation, and therefore, he or she does not, in social terms, exist.

        The “Who, Me?” Technique ~ A subtle but powerful technique is to make indirect attacks on the other parent. When questioned about such attacks, the brainwashing parent will say, “Who, me?” The programmer indicates that he or she meant no such thing and that the listener or child was certainly misinterpreting. The list of indirect attacks is infinite, but the basic pattern is that the programmer/brainwasher attacks something about the character, lifestyle, past, present, or future of the target parent.

        Middle-Man Technique ~ By speaking to the child about issues that should be first discussed with the other parent, the programmer/brainwasher can compromise and/or damage the child’s relationship with or image of the target parent. For instance, discussing time-schedule arrangements by asking questions such as, “Do you think you would like to have more time with Mom?” often places the child in the middle. The pressure on the child is to make a choice in front of an inquiring parent.

        Circumstantial Technique ~ By manipulating, changing, rearranging, and commenting on time, the programming parent tries to gain dominance in the eyes of the children. “Your mother’s always late for delivery and pickup. I wonder if she would be late for her own funeral.” The other parent told her children, “He’s always early for pickup, but late for delivery.” These parents are attacking character by discussing punctuality. Not informing the other parent of school dates, plays, conferences, ceremonies, awards, sporting events, and the like is a way of signifying to the children that the other parent lacks importance.

        “I Don’t Know What’s Wrong with Him” Technique ~ Many parents have developed a technique whereby they create and/or exaggerate differences between themselves and the other parent in front of the children. A behavioral pattern is that arguments develop at the time of pickup and delivery of the children. Often the initial phase of the conversation is polite and appropriate. If the conversation goes on beyond a certain point, however, the brainwashing parent might instigate an argument by using a phrase or presenting an idea that he or she consciously or unconsciously knows will incite the other parent.

        Ally Technique ~ Attempting to get the children to side with one parent against the other occurs both in and outside of marriage. At the time of separation, divorce, or custody conflict, however, the attempt to ally the children is stronger. An example would be asking the children direct questions such as, “Don’t you think your mother is wrong to try to get all the money she can from us?” Other such questions are “You’re a sensitive child—do you think it’s fair for a father to have all that money? He just bought himself a new car and a house—look at how we have to live.”

        Morality Technique ~ Programming behaviors often include moral judgments against the target parent concerning his/her values, lifestyle, choice of friends, successes or failures in life (career, financial, relational), or residential choice. These criticisms are intended to elevate one’s own position in comparison with the target parent, who becomes diminished by this good/bad dichotomy. Criticizing behaviors are often insidious, occurring over a period of time with different degrees of intensity but always powerful. Like the wearing away of a stone constantly assaulted by waves, the child’s perception of the target parent changes from its original, more positive view, finally conforming to the programming parent’s negative opinions and sentiments. In such cases, the effect can become almost irreversible. These children are no longer able to accept both parents as equally good. In successful brainwashing, even if the child is deprogrammed with valid counter-information or has positive experiences with the other parent, the child may rewrite reality or will rationalize, ascribing ulterior motives to the target parent in the service of maintaining the beliefs of the indoctrinating parent.

        Threat of Withdrawal-of-Love Technique ~ This is a coercive, powerful, and almost universally successful technique utilized by parents who programme. Here, the children come to fear rejection or loss of love from a parent if they express love or a desire to be with the other parent. It becomes implicitly or explicitly understood that to be loved and accepted, the child must become a cohort and also turn against the other parent.

        “I’m the Only One Who Really Loves You” Technique ~ The intent is to create the belief that the target parent or those who are associated with that parent are not sincere in their love and caring for the child. Genuine love, interest, and involvement, by contrast, exist only in the heart of the programmer. The child is led to peer beneath the surface where ulterior motives lurk. The child comes to believe himself/herself a fool for being duped into attributing such positive qualities of love and caring to an obviously clever person who is bent on driving a wedge between the parent (programmer) and child.

        “You’re an Endangered Species” Technique ~ One method of instilling distrust, fear, lack of love, or the belief that a parent is unable to care properly for the child is accomplished through a procedure of judgmental, opinionated, and negative commentary and/or physical inspection and interrogation once the child arrives “home” again. Through these techniques, the child comes to interpret anything associated with the target parent as wrong or unsafe and to perceive his or her ongoing existence as being at risk with each contact. If the child is tired from a full weekend in which there were enjoyable activities, the interpretation might be, “Your father always wears you out. What’s wrong with him? Doesn’t he know you have school tomorrow?”

        Rewriting-Reality Technique ~ This technique is also referred to as rewriting history or rescripting. Through rewriting reality, the brainwasher attempts to convince a child to doubt his or her ability to perceive reality. A child may observe a scenario unfold from beginning to end, but as the brainwashing parent repetitively goes over the scenario and resists the child’s interpretation, the original and “true” reality is ultimately filtered out and the rewritten script is eventually adopted. The basic reward is parental acceptance and love.

        Physical-Survival Technique ~ Although each of these syndromes, administered individually or in combination, works its inexorable effects on children, the use or threat of physical punishment is one of the most potentially injurious acts for children. When a brainwashing parent or other agent resorts to threatening and/or physically punishing a child, it is usually the result of frustration over the child’s noncompliance in adopting the programme

        Footnote:
        [1] Clawar, S. S., & Rivlin, B. (2013). Children held hostage second edition: Identifying brainwashed children, presenting a case, and crafting solutions. American Bar Association.

      • There is only ONE abuser the one making false allegations to try to cover up their wrong doing… betrayal, infidelity, stealing, lying and unresolved pathological childhood issues from a dysfunctional household they were brought up in.

        • You throw the word “abuser” around like a high-paid shark CT lawyer. There needs to be some proof or finding. CONCERNED is an ABUSER of the message board. “ABUSER” has basically lost its meaning in the courts because everyone is an “ABUSER.” If it’s not physical abuse, it’s emotional abuse. Or psychological abuse. Or economic abuse. Flailing around the word ABUSER only helps one thing – lawyers churn up their fees. In the long-run, all it does is hurt good parents when their only “crime” is not being able to afford the sharks.

          • Theses articles are abusive. You are probably causing more trauma for this family. Go write about something more useful

    • If the guardian ad litem’s role is to flip custody of children away from parents who refuse to condone immoral behaviors, mandatory disclosure laws should require GALs to disclose their morals, beliefs and preferences to all parties in a case. That disclosure need to happen BEFORE the GAL is allowed onto the case — and Connecticut law allows parents to chose the GALs. Parents should know what kind of people are about to control their children’s lives and futures.

      Horrible that those kinds of laws aren’t on the books already.

      • I was never allowed to choose. She was pushed on the case by the attorneys. She took an appointment after a face to face meeting in the hallway at 90 Washington Street Hartford. Same day agreement to use and appointment on record. A violation of the code of conduct of an attorney. On behalf of all the attorneys involved. She had a significant conflict of interest. My own attorney was involved in the case. Names were brought up about the conflicting members prior to me finding the conflict of interest.When I brought it up to my attorney he threatened me. Documented in an email. I would not have been running around checking in to the apparent collusion if I didn’t see the uneithical behavior going on. There is no one who can convince me that anything going on in the family courts are legitimate based on my experience In several cases. I am completely discussed and Fed up with the family court system in Connecticut. The dysfunction and harm it’s causing is causing. I’m continue to be disappointed by the handling of the family court mess. There is a significant amount of gender bias. Please clean up the courts.

  • Attorneys promote “high conflict divorce”- whether it is or it’s not (and usually it’s not), they use this label as a way to justify giving sole legal and physical custody to one parent.

    Beyond that, the courts do not give parenting time to the other parent.

    It’s literally like they kill one parent and remove them from the lives of their children forever.

    It’s criminal.

    There are ways to terminate parents rights. The courts aren’t doing that. The courts are also making sure not to call DCF on the targeted parent because dcf would make no finding against the targeted parent. No complaint has been made by any child.

    Imagine raising your kids, going to court, and having a report say you can’t see your kids — then dragging that out for years. This is what is being done – and it’s entirely for profit.

    The court appoints new gals post divorce and leaves therapists in place for years. Once you enter you cannot get out.

    • The written complaints from the guardian ad litums say different. Written complaints about DCF because of substantiated abuse documented. The garduim ad litums complain about them writing letters public. Adam Teller for one. They fight with DCF on substanced complaints. The gals dislike them. It’s documented.

      • DCF Connecticut mandatory training in RI for fatherhood. Org. Diana Ditunno organizing. Gender bias. Training that teaching that father’s are more important than mother’s. Get out of abuse charges for funding to the state. It’s no secret why women are getting axed, strangled, gunned down and nearly set on fire. No finding to be made because Diana Ditunno is going to ensure it. Funding granted only if the program looks like it is working. It’s not just the court house. It’s the entire state system. Gender bias laws passed to increase funding

  • Trust be told in other guided information children detached from abusers. I have a 54 year old friend who’s father was an abuser. Physically abused everyone in the family. As well as psychological. She was forced by the court to visit. Repeatedly reported to the court and the judge. When she was 18 she able to refuse all contact. She still to this day can not believe she was forced to go to see the abuser by the court. She has been in therapy for years to get over the damage. Children reject abusive parents. To say that is not true is a lie. There are plenty of adult victims who will report differently. She has never wavierd for what she expected. Children are often terrified of their abusers. So are their other parent

      • As a parent of teenagers who disclosed all of the abuse after and during the reunification therapy. These children are desperate to get away from the abuse parent. Unless you have been in the shoes of a parent who is being forced to make your children go with an abuser you have no idea what you are talking about. When the abuser family members are texting and calling you about the abuse. The courts still forcing. Any normal parent is going to have extreme anxiety over their children being put in harms way. It is a basic instinct to protect. This video shows a psychologist who does understand child abuse. He understands that there is a lot of money to be made off custody bait and switch. You have no idea what it’s like to be forced by the courts to send your children to be abused. When you have witnessed it, so have others and the court monsters are threatening to take the children and deliver them to an abuser. These garduim ad litums and so called parental alienation experts belong in jail. The majority of them

          • It’s fake news when it exposes you… the narcissistic. and the Narc try’s to feverishly to reply to every comment “ fake news” “ Luigi is bad” Wahhhh

      • Most “family court” professionals never mention words such as “sin” and “repentance” and those cases just go on and on. The same sins get new DSM classifications and diagnostic codes every few years and that’s all that changes for so many who have no idea what a racket it is.

    • After reading all theses articles that luigi dirubba has written. It’s very clear he is the abuser. Every article is abusive. I am sure his children have read them and have caused further trauma. Too bad luigi dirubba can’t see what he is doing and theses reporters are just looking for attention and use anyone and anything to write about. I also saw that luigi dirubba is also putting court documents online. I do believe this is a violation as minors in the case and family court documents are sealed. Too bad luigi dirubba can’t see he need help.

  • Avoiding the Pitfalls of False Assumptions in Parental Alienation Cases-Alan D. Blotcky, PhD,William Bernet, MD

    Here’s how to avoid false assumptions in cases of parental alienation to ensure better outcomes for children.
    FORENSIC PRACTICE
    Parental alienation is a mental state in which a child—usually one whose parents are engaged in a high-conflict separation or divorce—allies strongly with 1 parent (the offending, but favored parent) and rejects a relationship with the other parent (the alienated parent) without legitimate reason.1 This condition occurs in the context of a maladaptive family dynamic involving at least 3 individuals: the alienating parent, who intentionally and purposefully manipulates the child to reject the other parent; the child, who experiences parental alienation; and the rejected, alienated parent. A variety of tactics and maneuvers are used by alienating parents to achieve their goal, ranging from bad-mouthing and disruption of visitation time to false allegations of abuse and criminal charges.
    Research indicates that parental alienation is present in 11% to 15% of divorce cases. It has also been found that 20% to 25% of parents engage in alienating behavior as long as 6 years after divorce. Alienating parents can be either mothers or fathers.
    Parental alienation is poorly understood by many mental health professionals, not to mention attorneys, guardians ad litem, and judges. It is a confusing and vexing problem because many of its features and dynamics are hidden behind the scenes, ferociously denied, and counterintuitive from what one would expect.
    Because of its counterintuitive nature, many false assumptions are made by professionals who are involved in cases of parental alienation. Much can be learned from recognizing and understanding these false assumptions, both in terms of diagnosis and treatment. This is especially important since early diagnosis and intervention are predictive of better outcomes for the child.
    False Assumptions Can Lead to Mistakes
    What follows is a description of many false assumptions that are made routinely in alienation cases. Richard Warshak, PhD,2 and Steve Miller, MD,3 have written about fallacies and fundamental attribution error in these cases, and 1 of us has written about misinformation in alienation theory.4 The following concepts serve as the foundation for our fuller understanding of the role of false assumptions in parental alienation cases.
    Intuition is king. When we think intuitively, our decisions tend to feel “right,” regardless of whether they are or not. To accurately understand parental alienation, a clinician must have an advanced understanding of the typical dynamics in these cases. Relying on intuition can lead to major mistakes right from the get-go. For example, just because a parent seems healthy or believable, does not make it so.
    Both parents are equally responsible. It is a common fallacy that both parents are equally responsible for high conflict during a separation or divorce. It is always important to consider the possibility that 1 parent may be the aggressor, while the other parent is the victim. In most cases, both parents are not equally responsible for the ongoing conflict. It can be a major blunder to assume so.
    Outward demeanors are indicative of truth. Alienating parents typically present as calm, verbal, and convincing. In contrast, alienated or rejected parents usually present as agitated, angry, and afraid; they are victims.3 In many cases, the alienating parent appears to be healthier and more believable—but that is a manipulation and a distraction from their intentionally alienating behavior. The rejected parent appears more psychologically disturbed, and so it is assumed that he or she is the one engaging in problematic behavior. Outward demeanors can be quite deceiving and must be considered cautiously in diagnostic decision-making.
    Ignoring projection possibility. The intrapsychic defense of projection is often seen in cases of alienation. In essence, the alienating parent accuses the rejected parent of being the aggressor. If you fall for the offending parent’s distortion and misperception, poor diagnostic decisions will be made, and the case can quickly go haywire. Projection can lead to the wrong person being identified as the alienating parent.
    Children’s denials and “truths” are gospel. Simply believing a child’s denial of alienation by a parent can be a recipe for disaster. Children are not usually aware of the maneuvers employed by the offending parent to turn them against the rejected parent. Plus, such children are frequently enmeshed with the offending parent and will defend that parent to the bitter end. Independent thinker phenomenon is often seen, whereby alienated children assert that their rejection of a parent is solely their idea and decision—not due to the offending parent’s influence. So just listening to a child’s denials can be a serious error that will undermine good decision-making in a case. There is a body of literature that tells us that children and teenagers do not know what is in their own best interest.5 This is especially true when they are the unwitting participants in alienation by a parent.
    Alienation does not involve total rejection. Children naturally want to love both of their parents without interruption or impediment. A child does not totally reject a parent unless there is an alienating influence in the mix. This is true even for abusive parents. Indeed, children who have been verbally, physically, or sexually abused by a parent experience profound ambivalence because they still love the parent. They are upset and in turmoil by the fact that they cannot have a continued relationship despite the well-established abuse.6 As such, total rejection by a child is much more indicative of alienation. And to use a child’s rejection of a parent as corroboration or validation of the rejected parent’s badness can be flat-out wrong.
    Estrangement and alienation are the same thing. When children resist contact with a parent for legitimate reasons, this is called estrangement, not alienation. Estrangement is very different than alienation; it is important not to confuse them. For example, it would make sense for a child to be estranged from a parent if that parent engages in substance abuse during the child’s visits. Estrangement can be corrected if the parent is willing to make the necessary changes. Alienation, in contrast, tends to be camouflaged, insidious, and recalcitrant.
    Alienating behavior is relatively harmless and will not impact the child’s long-term mental health. Engaging persistently in alienating behavior is child psychological abuse. It is a mistake to deny it or rationalize it away. According to DSM-5, child psychological abuse is nonaccidental verbal or symbolic acts by a child’s parent or caregiver that result, or have reasonable potential to result, in significant psychological harm to the child. In light of this, parental alienation is considered a psychiatric emergency, especially in moderate to severe cases. Minimizing the severity of the problem does a terrible disservice to the child. Unfortunately, it enables the abusive behavior to continue unchecked.
    Since persistent alienating behavior constitutes child psychological abuse, the top priority should be to protect the child from further abuse. Until this is accomplished, no form of psychotherapy will be effective. In other words, protecting the child from further abuse must be the first step before psychotherapy of any kind is started. This mistake is common. In many court cases, it is erroneously assumed that psychotherapy can fix the problem when, in fact, little or nothing can be accomplished because the alienating behavior is ongoing.
    Removing the child from the home is harmful. There is no credible evidence that removing an alienated child from the home of the offending parent causes a significant risk of psychological harm. The opposite is true. In almost all severe and some moderate cases of parental alienation, the risks of not protecting the child are far greater than the risks of protecting the child. Removal of the child from the offending parent’s care may be necessary, at least temporarily. Children and teenagers may fuss about it, but they will comply with, and benefit from, such an intervention.7
    Reunification therapy can start at any time and is easy. Reunification therapy cannot be successful unless the alienating behavior by the offending parent is stopped. Otherwise, progress will be impeded by the continued alienation, and everyone will be perplexed as to why significant gains are not being made. The reunification therapy itself may not be the issue at all. Its progress may be stalled by the omnipresence of alienating behavior by the 1 parent.
    Reunification therapy is difficult and complex. It requires a knowledgeable and seasoned therapist. The therapist must be directive and assertive, not passive, lethargic, or naïve. An inexperienced or unknowledgeable therapist can make things worse. Such therapists can begin to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and disappointed. A negative expectation for improvement can take over and become a complicating and limiting factor.
    There are no interventions for alienation situations. Active interventions for parental alienation are available and they do work. The interventions must be aimed at (1) stopping the alienation by the offending parent, (2) clarifying and resolving the alienation in the child, and (3) repairing the child-rejected parent relationship. More traditional psychotherapies that do not target these specific areas are doomed to fail. The right therapy at the right time is critical.
    Children’s school performance is the best guide. Just because a child is doing well in school or other activities does not mean they are doing well psychologically or emotionally. This is a common misconception. Focusing on school grades can miss the larger issues at hand.
    The truly guilty party will confess eventually. No matter how much pressure is applied, the severely alienating parent will never admit to their intentionally harmful behavior. There is never a Perry Mason moment. Do not be misguided or misled by this parent’s persistent denials, as they are disingenuous and untruthful.
    Alienating behavior always results in alienation. Not all children who have an alienating parent become alienated. However, even if the child is not alienated does not mean the parent’s alienating behavior is harmless. The negative consequences of alienating behavior tend to be cumulative over time. In addition, the child might become alienated if the damaging behavior does not cease.

    Concluding Thoughts

    All cases of parental alienation are fraught with complexities and difficulties. None are easy or straightforward. False assumptions are pitfalls to be understood and avoided in these cases. Missteps anywhere along the way can result in misdiagnosis, miscalculations, and ill-fated interventions.

    Early diagnosis and intervention are important in alienation cases. The offending parent’s behavior must be stopped as soon as possible. All professionals—from mental health experts to attorneys to judges—must understand this principle. It is unacceptable to turn a blind eye. By doing so, complicity with the offending parent will be established and the child’s mental health will be rendered unimportant.

    Professionals want to help children and their parents when they are embroiled in high conflict and escalating acrimony. But falling for any of these false assumptions can take a case down a dangerous path. And, in every instance, a child’s psychological wellbeing and mental health are at stake.
    https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/avoiding-the-pitfalls-of-false-assumptions-in-parental-alienation-cases?mibextid=Zxz2cZ

    • Alienation industry. Reunification camp. It tragic the brain washing being done in reunification therapy. Exposer through out the us and multiple countries

  • As a matter of public interest. Some one should raise the question as to why people are forced to use guardian ad litums. Family relations is a state run agency. Joseph Ditunno is the deputy director. He’s also involved in the violent offender program. That receives funding . He was co chair on the Ccadv with Jarmoc. Also receives funding. His wife Diana Ditunno is a social worker at unconn I believe. She is professionally involved in fatherhood. Org. Also funded. Uconn employees are reported to make up the highest paid employees in the state. She receives a higher than average salary upon google search. All this gal training is going on at the public defender’s office. Parental alienation is a legal defense. These are conflicting matters considering so many cases are pushed into alienation cases. The general public should be advised as to the individual involved in the court system. As well as the disclosure of relationship and multiple positions they appear to hold. If my facts are incorrect. Please comment and I will apologize for raising the questions.

    • Very interesting since I was asked not to attend a mandatory family relations meeting. With evidence I was not engaged in parental alienation. What the hell is going on in the state of Connecticut.

      • They did the same to me. My own attorneys told me NOT to go with them to family relations but to wait in the hallway!

        I never had a family relations case study. I had never been to court before my divorce.

        The attorneys run the game- collude with opposing counsel and throw their own clients under the bus without them knowing.

        • Screw the bitch. Custody bait and switch. Connecticut family court Cash cow dumpster fire 🔥. We didn’t know any better.

    • I’m so glad you called both Joe and Diana Ditunno out on this. They are definitely using their position for their own good. You would think that as a deputy director of family services, he would foster co parenting after his own divorce. He manipulated the divorce, parental alienation developed and now his son is estranged from his mom. Diana is so desperate to assume that position. It’s covert narcissism disguised as altruism. Joe also got his future daughter in law a position as a family relations counselor. Nepotism at its best. Such a sad story that needs to be told.

  • “He ordered Luigi to pay his ex-wife’s legal expenses, $135,000, to a court-ordered Guardian Ad Litem and awarded her the house”

    This is exactly how it goes. Typically one spouse is blocked from access to all financial accounts and the other pays the actors who allows for the violations of law.

    In Ambrose case, the wife was locked out of the marital home and locked out of all accounts. In Tiberi case the wife was forced to leave marital home and awarded enough for a small rental while the actors were rewarded with thousands to take her child and her assets.

    It’s larceny and child trafficking.

    • Mrs Tiberi is certifiably insane and a danger to her children. The fact that you support her just goes to show that these anti-Family Court people have no clue what they’re talking about.

  • Mrs Dubric jump on the midnight train with the kids to avoid an angry lynch mob. These parental alienation people in Connecticut are hell bent on running the court system.

    • Maybe she was saving her children for this abusive man who refuses to get help and acknowledge he is mentally ill.

  • But, I thought FR’s stance is that parental alienation is a fake concept invented so that pedophile dads could get custody and rape their children in peace. ? Frank, are you now a Richard Gardner proponent?

    • Parental alienation does exist. It just should not be purchased and it should not be used for a flip in custody and no contact with the other parent.
      It is clear that Anna Maria alienated the children. The solution should not have lost all custody but a shared custody should have been required. Of course for her false charges she should have been penalized.

      • Frank it would behoove you to search for further material facts on the case before coming to a conclusion he was “alienated” as there is in fact, strong evidence rendering that “allegation” false. I would request from Mr DiRubba any grievances or complaints he has filed against attorneys and their responses. You may find these very interesting, as parental alienation has been disproven time and time again. It is not recognized by the APA or any credible mental health agency. It is called domestic abuse by proxy, if that is indeed what DiRubba is claiming, however a little research may be warranted on your end as his “facts” are not too credible given the reports out there. Judge Diana awarded sole custody to the mother. He is one of the few “informed” on domestic abuse Judges, that’s sitting on the bench. That should say a lot to Mr. DiRubba’s claims.

        And just to play devils advocate here, he has 6 kids 3 are adults, have they all been alienated?

        • What about the police testimony? What about the GAL testimony? What about the psychological evaluation? What about the supervise visit reports what about the Therapists report that sided with Luigi
          What about the reunification therapist testimony, stating that Annamaria was not willing to participate have the children participate in reunification?
          I what about all the obstructed visits of his parenting time what about all the obstructied phone calls?
          What about all the false reporting to the police department? There’s 14 of them total
          What about all the witnesses (6) at the GAL spoke to that refuted Annamaria’s claims of Luigi touching his children or their children
          What about the two coaches that witnessed Annamaria specifically alienating the children from the father since the dad was involved with the coaching program and her pulling the children off the field intentionally to try to upset the father

          • Where is all this proof ? How do you know this is even true? How f do o you even know all this fake news?

          • Did you read all this paperwork? Isn’t this paperwork seal? You should really stop with all your lies to get attention. You are 1 sick human being. This is slander.

          • Your lies. Why didn’t dr.dirubba include judge Diana ruling. Looks like the last response there are additional court courts. You should do proper investigation

          • I did. Basically, I covered the ground. Judge Grossman had an inexplicable ruling that did not address interstate kidnapping or several violations of Connecticut law. Attorney Charles controlled the agenda and advanced Luigi’s alleged financial issues. I said Charles was a good lawyer, and maybe she, personally, is not the problem. If you’re looking for justice, maybe Shakespeare was right.

            The doctrine of unclean hands is as old as justice itself. It rings true in the Gilgamesh and the Pentateuch. No king or queen of old would mete out justice on behalf of one who came before them also an offender.

            Grossman’s court is not one of lions or kings. It is one of rats.

            Stay tuned.

          • You are very professional calling a judge a “rat” it’s unfortunate that you are enabling an abuser. Go get help and get a real job that adds quality to life. You should be sued for slander.

          • Obviously, you have never read “The Plague” by Albert Camus. The rats are the symbol of the plague, of a sick and dying city. Analogous to an outsider’s view of the Connecticut Family Court, where Lady Justice, it appears, is sick and dying.

            Also, Montesquieu was fond of rats in his disdain for direct democracy and his advocacy for a constitutional monarchy with a separation of powers as the basis for an ideal governmental form. To paraphrase, it is much more preferable to live under the paw of a lion than to be continually ensnared by the jaws of rats that are your fellow citizens. The question is whether a judge who allows “the show” to run them a lion (the symbol of power and justice) or just another rat with a robe.

            Again, await some of my forthcoming work on this topic.

            It’s not unprofessional for a journalist to ask these questions. And I welcome a slander suit. I am doing nothing but adding commentary and contributing to the marketplace of ideas. Again, provide facts and evidence to support your claims.

      • How do you know the mother alienated the children. Did you read that in court documents? Or once again Dr dirubba delusional mind at it’s best again.

    • Those who falsely charge innocent parents with parental alienation then take the children and subject them to a prescribed program of alienation —

      It’s a cult like tactic. Gals isolate the children from the mother (typically) and all extended family. Kids are cut off from everyone who they trust and who loves and advocates for them.

      They are replaced by sadists like Robert Horwitz and Bruce freedman. Both of these animals get off on watching children cry in pain and love to see mothers tortured by the system – of which they’ve played a critical role in CT for decades.

      The court appointed therapists then ever to promote the story that their mother (usually the mother) is crazy and their father is the victim. That nothing can be done— and in the words of a therapist— tell the children “it’s time to move forward without her. This is your new family unit”.

      Inflicting trauma for years to come.

      These people are criminals. But yes- this is how children are alienated from healthy parents.

      • It happens both ways but predominantly against fathers not mothers as on this case. Fathers are extracted from the onset with falsely DV charges. They are locked out the kids are locked out from them.

  • The courts use the word “high conflict” to justify all the court actors. The court actors then create the conflict and put interventions into place which prevent effective communication between parents.

    Almost immediately, these court actors make agreements with one parent, lock the other parent out of all assets, and drain life savings while maligning innocent parents like Luigi.

    They drag everything out for years, so parents will have no recourse.

    • To be clear- there are many families that are high conflict before even filing for divorce. These are the individuals who would not be candidates for mediation.

      • well as you can see here the high conflict began with false allegations by the ex wife…its called the “SILVER BULLET PRACTICE” of divorce Highly influenced coaching from the attorney. Allows the meter to run and best of financial and custody advantage in family court due to the hands tied up in criminal court.

        • In a small amount of cases. Not majority. You can just disagree on custody split of time and your labeled an alienator. It’s a move to engage in control.

    • Welcome to Corrupticut Family Circus. “ what about the children?”” “we need to see your assets is first.”
      “ what does that have to do with seeing my kids?” “ stop being a difficult client” “so let’s get back to business let’s see all your assets”
      “We need to make sure everything is accounted for”

    • Welcome to Corrupticut Family Court where the rats are smelly and the swines are fattening up. Where is the FBI in all of this? that’s right the scum sucking leaches of society are immune and FBI has no jurisdiction over them.

  • It’s all about power and money. His wife calls and is believed and kids isolated from their father.

    In Ambrose case, the kids called, family, friends and strangers called – and Ambrose was protected.

    Legal custody was taken after assessments and still, the gal forced the kids back in less than 24 hours.

    The gals hold all the power and all the money.

    Marianne Charles is high powered, money driven and well connected.

    That case was decided from the start— and they control and influence the police. It’s a racket.
    $$$$$$

    Public exposure is the only way to show them for the criminals they are.

    Parents like DiRubba, Riordan, and Tiberi each get punished by the courts when the fraud is reported on by the media.

    • Actually she was all for MR DiRubba and bashed the mom. The gaslighting and DARVO is strong with this one. Again a quick read of any complaints and grievances filed would tell a vastly different story, which doesn’t add up.

  • Luigi’s children are all old enough to see him on their free will. They don’t want to. What does that say?

  • This is cruel punishment to the children. The Eighth Amendment applies to “criminal defendants”, but not non-criminal persons. This is how judges are able to apply torture to families of the accused. This judge should be investigated on their relationships to ALL parties involved.

    ~ Pilgrim

About the Author

Frank Parlato is an investigative journalist.

His work has been cited in hundreds of news outlets, like The New York Times, The Daily Mail, VICE News, CBS News, Fox News, New York Post, New York Daily News, Oxygen, Rolling Stone, People Magazine, The Sun, The Times of London, CBS Inside Edition, among many others in all five continents.

His work to expose and take down NXIVM is featured in books like “Captive” by Catherine Oxenberg, “Scarred” by Sarah Edmonson, “The Program” by Toni Natalie, and “NXIVM. La Secta Que Sedujo al Poder en México” by Juan Alberto Vasquez.

Parlato has been prominently featured on HBO’s docuseries “The Vow” and was the lead investigator and coordinating producer for Investigation Discovery’s “The Lost Women of NXIVM.” Parlato was also credited in the Starz docuseries "Seduced" for saving 'slave' women from being branded and escaping the sex-slave cult known as DOS.

Additionally, Parlato’s coverage of the group OneTaste, starting in 2018, helped spark an FBI investigation, which led to indictments of two of its leaders in 2023.

Parlato appeared on the Nancy Grace Show, Beyond the Headlines with Gretchen Carlson, Dr. Oz, American Greed, Dateline NBC, and NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, where Parlato conducted the first-ever interview with Keith Raniere after his arrest. This was ironic, as many credit Parlato as one of the primary architects of his arrest and the cratering of the cult he founded.

Parlato is a consulting producer and appears in TNT's The Heiress and the Sex Cult, which premiered on May 22, 2022. Most recently, he consulted and appeared on Tubi's "Branded and Brainwashed: Inside NXIVM," which aired January, 2023.

IMDb — Frank Parlato

Contact Frank with tips or for help.
Phone / Text: (305) 783-7083
Email: frankparlato@gmail.com

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