Former Connecticut Attorney Sentenced for Embezzling $2 Million From Clients

The Office of the Chief State's Attorney in Connecticut announced recently that former New Haven attorney John Peck was sentenced to 14 years incarceration, execution suspended after seven years served, and five years probation for embezzling more than $2 million from his former clients. Peck was also ordered to make full restitution to four elderly clients from whom he misappropriated funds in connection with real estate transactions, estate planning and litigation settlements.

See the full release here.

Massachusetts Attorney Indicted for Allegedly Embezzling $1.2 Million From Clients

The Massachusetts Attorney General recently announced that Gerard Battista, a Massachusetts attorney, was indicted on charges that he allegedly stole $1.2 million from clients in connection with legal services performed for them.  The indictment stemmed from an investigation by the AG's office after it received complaints alleging that Battista had failed to return to clients large sums of mone with which they had entrusted him.

See the full release here.

New Hampshire Man Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement

The New Hampshire Attorney General announced this week that Scott A. Payrits, age 34, pleaded guilty to embezzlement and larceny from his employer, mall developer Zamias Corporation. According to filings in the case, Mr. Payrits obtained the money through a variety of methods, including taking cash from bank deposits, taking gift certificates, using mall credit accounts for the purchase of personal items, and issuing checks to himself from the mall marketing checking account.

See release here.

Idaho Woman Indicted for Embezzlement

The Idaho Attorney General, Lawrence Wasden, recently announced that a grand jury indicted former Homedale City Clerk, Pamela Dugger, of nine felony crimes including one count of embezzlement for using a  city credit card to purchase personal items.

See the Attorney General's release here.

Vermont Sheriff Resigns After Pleading Guilty to Embezzlement

The Office of the Attorney General of the State of Vermont announced recently that Shelia Prue has resigned from her position of Windham County Sheriff and has pleaded guilty to charges of embezzlement, petit larceny, and neglect of duty. According to an affidavit filed with the Windham District Court, Prue engaged in a pattern of conduct throughout her tenure as Sheriff in which she routinely used Sheriff's Department funds for personal expenditures.

See the full release here.

Two former housing Authority administrators indicted for theft

New Jersey Attorney General Zulima V. Farber recently announced that two former administrators of the Old Bridge Township Housing Authority were indicted on theft and official misconduct charges for stealing thousands of dollars from two publicly funded rental assistance programs. See the full release here.

Former Hartford Attorney Convicted of Stealing from Clients

Another Connecticutt attorney has been found guilty of embezzling money from clients.  Connecticutt Chief State's Attorney Christopher L. Morano announced recently that Mr. Frederick Baldwin embezzled a total of $209,000 from three former clients. See the full announcement here.

Former New Haven Attorney Pleads Guilty to Stealing More than $2 Million from Clients

Chief State's Attorney Christopher L. Morano announced earlier this week the conviction of former New Haven attorney, John H. Peck, for stealing more than $2 million in client funds.

Mr. Peck was initially accused of embezzling more than $270,000 from an elderly woman he represented in a series of four real estate transactions beginning in 2002. During the course of the transactions, Mr. Peck diverted the proceeds from the sale of properties to himself and applied for a mortgage on the victim's behalf, embezzling the funds for his own use. Mr. Peck attempted to conceal the embezzlement by arranging to have the victim make her monthly mortgage payments to him.

In the course of investigating those incidents following a complaint filed against Peck, inspectors discovered additional thefts from Peck's client trust fund exceeding $2 million.

Peck surrendered his law license.

See full release here.

Former Michigan State Employee Sentenced for Embezzling Funds

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox announced last week that Charles Andrus Byam, Jr. of Lansing, Michigan, a former employee of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), was sentenced to 2-10 years in prison on 3 counts of embezzlement for stealing $181,061.98 while employed by the MDEQ. The scheme involved diverting fees submitted to the MDEQ by local businesses to Byam's personal bank account. See the full release here.

Connecticut Woman Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling $500,000 from Elderly Victim

Connecticut State Attorney Christopher L. Morano recently announced that Kathleen Britton was sentenced to prison for embezzling approximately $500,000 from an elderly Cheshire woman for whom she worked as a caregiver.

According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Ms. Britton was employed as a nurse's aide and a medical records clerk at a health care facility where the elderly victim was a patient in 2000. After the victim returned home, Ms. Britton began to work as an aide and companion for the victim. Upon the victim's death in November 2002, her estate became the subject of a probate court action. An investigation revealed that almost all of the victim's assets were missing and appeared to have been stolen by Ms. Britton. Further investigation revealed that Ms. Britton embezzled over $500,000 from the victim after she became the victim's power of attorney in February 2002. Ms. Britton, along with her husband, utilized the victim's money to purchase a new home, a new truck, furniture and jewelry. In addition, Ms. Britton used her power of attorney to substitute herself as the beneficiary on several of the victim's annuities and life insurance policies. See the full release here.