Written by Gretchen Hentsch-Cowles

Hermione v. the Three Headed Dog “Fluffy” Cerberus: Plaintiffs, Defendants, Counter-Plaintiffs, Counter-Defendants, Cross-Plaintiffs and Cross-Defendants: this complex case involves Russell Cowles, US Bank and Justin J. Stone, all behemoths joining against me, Gretchen Hentsch-Cowles, and my four children to intimidate me to dismiss my claims against them for breach of contract, breach of promissory estoppel, intentional infliction of emotional distress and breach of fiduciary duty. Cerberus and his agents use coercive control, betrayal shame, gaslighting, bullying and “collective reality-bending”, all under the guise of love, innocence, professional concern and indignation.

Note: not all involved individuals and information are disclosed due to confidentiality rules.

Timeline

2002-2004:

Hentsch-Cowles V. Russell Cowles Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit, Minneapolis:

In a rare triumph of justice, I gain award from my father, Russell Cowles, for the sexual abuse he inflicted on me as a child.

Divorce: After obtaining a protective order against abusive ex-husband P. Hentsch and over two years of litigation, he voluntarily relinquishes all parental rights to my four children (2017-2019), leaving us emotionally and financially depleted.

Russell desires reconciliation, seeking to be a Grandfather for his family legacy. He instructs US Bank Ascent executive Justin J. Stone and his advisor Kris Dahl to 1) organize a loan for me to buy out my ex-husband to execute the divorce decree, and 2) to generate a signed financial promissory note to his grandchildren to financially support their education, health and housing throughout High-School, beginning with a yearly gift and a lavish celebration in Naples, FL.

However, this attempt at reconciliation would soon be tainted with further abuse from multiple parties; in Minneapolis, Justin J. Stone allegedly roofies & sexually assaults me, abusing the professional power dynamic as my financial advisor and taking advantage of his knowledge of my past sexual trauma and vulnerabilities related to my childhood abuse.

Afterwards, US Bank & Stone fail to satisfy the loan reimbursement to Russell.

Upon agreement with Russell and his advisors, I moved to Spain for my children to resume school in Madrid, where it was possible to provide an affordable and quality education. My children and I onboard with Ascent US Bank as clients.

2020-2021:

COVID pandemic

In February, I am diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer grade 3: I then undergo 2 surgeries & chemotherapy in Spain. Most cases of Ovarian cancer do not survive.

Russell makes repeated and overt promises to financially support me for all services related to my cancer treatment and recovery, including in-home care, nursing care and housekeeping on the condition that I return to the U.S. from Spain. This is in spite of Spain’s lower health care costs and meaningful education for the children: This is his Promissory Estoppel.

In May, I decide to trust Russell, and uproot my life, including health care, support system, and children, to move back to the U.S. upon my father’s promises, weakened & hopeful for loving healing care. I am again directed to his advisors at US Bank to handle the transition.

Three weeks after my arrival, Russell, between chemotherapy 2 & 3, suddenly rescinds all financial promises for care to me as well as his grandchildren’s note, without reason.

In the aftermath of the betrayal, I experience severe emotional distress as a result of being temporarily homeless after returning to the USA, and having to work while simultaneously undergoing chemo, which destroys the body’s normal functionality. I rely on my children for support & care. No family member offers support of any kind. I continue working, not taking the time to care for my recovery, destitute, and focusing on my children’s wellbeing & schooling.

In July, my mother unexpectedly dies.

Justin Stone, taking advantage of the power dynamic of being my financial advisor, and the dire financial situation Russell has left me in and under the pretext of helping me, allegedly drugs & sexually assaults me in Texas. It becomes clear after the traumatic event, that my childhood trauma was exploited and Stone groomed me since we first met in 2019. I file police reports on the assaults in 2024.

Russell files a lawsuit against me for reimbursement of the initial loan for the divorce, which he had forgiven in 2021 & which US Bank failed to satisfy in 2019.

Though initially attempting to move on in 2021, I counter-sue my father for breach of payment of the promissory note for his grandchildren, non-payment of my cancer care, and for emotional distress for generating high levels of trauma and distress in 2021. In short, I hold him accountable for leaving my children and I hanging dry; for leaving us without support as I struggled to make ends meet while being treated for cancer; and for asking us to trust him while he left us worse off than before.

Russell sues US Bank and Justin Stone for Breach of Fiduciary Duty.

I file a cross-claim (still pending) against Justin Stone and US Bank for breach of fiduciary duty: Stone shared our private banking information with Russell Cowles and his advisor, which had multiple nefarious ramifications. He also shared other Ascent client names and their net-worths with me.

My children, now young adults, file a motion to join (still pending) the claim against Russell Cowles over the promissory note for the funds he owes them, made in 2019.

Physical struggles persist due to lack of care during my chemotherapy treatment, which were exacerbated and which has created new medical problems. I continue to suffer from emotional distress and betrayal trauma from my father’s actions in 2021.

US Bank sponsors Happy Gilmore 2, entering the world of golf and football.

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Associated Resources

What is a promissory estoppel?

Thank you Merrill, Bank of America! Recognizing Gender Bias towards Wealthy Female Clients.

What is a corporate fiduciary duty?