Families Duped by Fake ‘Family Justice Act’ Hearing — No Congress, No Bill, Just a Library

It was billed as a historic federal breakthrough for family-court reform — a congressional “hearing” and “bill presentation” for the Family Justice & Accountability Act (FJAA). Dozens of desperate parents, survivors, and advocates traveled across America to Washington, D.C., believing they’d testify before lawmakers about systemic family court abuses.

Instead, they arrived at the Cleveland Park Library. There were no lawmakers, no staffers, no federal officials — and no bill in the congressional record.

Francesca Amato, founder of Punished 4 Protecting, claimed her self-authored act was sponsored by Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Both congressional offices flatly denied it. “We did not sponsor or endorse the event or a bill,” Moore’s staff confirmed. Grassley’s press secretary said he found “no record of such legislation.”

Attendees called the event “devastating.” Many said they were led to believe they’d testify before Congress, only to learn they’d been misled. “You could see people were desperate and traumatized,” one participant said. “To mislead them like that… it’s beyond cruel.”

Messages from Amato’s private Facebook group show her repeatedly assuring followers they were preparing for a “congressional hearing.” Yet the event — during a government shutdown — was simply a privately organized meeting.

Journalists Michael Volpe and Richard Luthmann exposed the truth before and after the event. Volpe warned in advance that no such federal bill existed. Afterward, both published evidence showing Amato’s nonprofit, Punished 4 Protecting, Inc., lost its 501(c)(3) status in 2024 for failing to file required IRS forms.

“This isn’t advocacy — it’s exploitation,” said Luthmann. “She promised a revolution in family-court reform and delivered a library meeting and a cease-and-desist letter.”

The fallout has rocked the already fragile family-court reform movement, where genuine advocates are demanding accountability and truth. While America’s family, juvenile, and child-welfare systems remain in crisis, experts warn that misinformation like this damages credibility and harms survivors seeking reform.

The movement’s credibility now hangs in the balance — between truth and illusion.