💔 A Story of Trust Betrayed
The Human Toll of Legal Abuse
What began as a trusted professional relationship between Wendy Wolfenden and her financial advisor David Volpe descended into a years-long legal tragedy triggered by one individual: Mary Dahl. Wendy, a sharp and independent woman in her 80s, had appointed Mary as her Power of Attorney during a surgery recovery in 2016. But when she no longer needed Mary’s help, she lawfully removed her. Mary retaliated—first with a lawsuit using outdated Trust documents, then with false claims to the police.
David Volpe inherited Wendy as a client in 2014 after a retiring financial advisor passed her account to him. He helped her update her trust through attorney Robyn Interpreter and supported her in every way. He fed her dog, Mama, sometimes driving from Gilbert to Scottsdale twice a day to administer medicine. This was never a business transaction — it was love and loyalty.
Joel Sauceda was introduced to Wendy through David. A tech entrepreneur and artist, Joel was building a startup Wendy chose to support by purchasing 10% equity. They became close friends. She once picked Joel up from the airport when David was unavailable, even taking him to the hotel after an emergency tooth extraction. She brought Mama along and joined him for a beer, a small act of kindness that said everything about their bond.
On another day, she and Joel worked together to fix a shower in one of her rental homes. Wendy was far from helpless — she was active, bright, and full of life.
After Wendy revoked Mary Dahl’s authority, Mary demanded $55,000 for her “services.” When Wendy refused, Mary sued her, then turned to the police claiming Wendy had dementia — a lie that triggered a devastating criminal case.
David was the first to be incarcerated, spending almost a year in Maricopa County jail. Shockingly, even his elderly mother — also in her 80s — was indicted despite having done nothing wrong. The stress was unbearable.
Wendy, heartbroken that her trusted advisor and friend was jailed, tried desperately to help him. But by then, her assets were frozen. She reached out to Joel in distress, asking for help to retain a lawyer. Joel responded by reaching out to a longtime contact: Stephen Foster, a Princeton-educated attorney and radio personality who hosted ESPN’s Laying Down the Law. Foster had worked with Joel’s company before, and they had spent time together in Miami during Super Bowl Week, discussing both business and broadcasting partnerships.
Stephen Foster introduced Wendy to Phoenix attorney Joseph Stewart. Joel sent money to Foster, who then paid Stewart to represent Wendy. It was all done in good faith, believing Wendy would be helped and supported by someone capable of handling her legal affairs.
But what followed was an unbearable betrayal.
At David’s sentencing — after he was pressured into a plea deal in exchange for dropping the charges against his mother — Joel sat in disbelief as Joseph Stewart, the very attorney retained through his efforts, spoke in court against David. Stewart claimed to speak on Wendy’s behalf, painting a picture of David and Joel completely disconnected from the truth. These claims stood in stark contrast to the hundreds of texts, emails, and phone calls showing Wendy’s excitement and engagement with their business. She had coordinated meetings, offered opinions on creative strategy, and expressed joy in being part of the venture.
The contradiction was stunning — and unacceptable. The same Wendy who warmly picked Joel up at the airport, who played with her dog at the hotel bar, who organized meetings, was now being described as frail, unaware, and victimized. Stewart’s courtroom statements raised serious concerns. Joel and Emily Sauceda fully intend to investigate the circumstances surrounding Stewart’s involvement, how he came to speak for Wendy at sentencing, and whether his role reflected a deeper manipulation within the Maricopa County legal apparatus.
Although Joel remains a defendant, he continues to file motions across Arizona, including in Pima County, and is engaging with federal agencies. His mission is not only to clear his name but to expose a systemic failure that turned an elderly woman’s independence into a weapon against those who cared for her most.
This is not just about two men who were unjustly jailed. This is about how one woman — Mary Dahl — set off a chain of corruption and cruelty that reached across counties, destroyed reputations, stole freedom, and silenced truth.
And this is about Wendy — a vibrant woman whose voice was stolen — and whose story must finally be heard.
