Legal Secretary Blows Whistle, Lawyer Disbarred

A single justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court has approved a stipulated waiver of bar disciplinary proceedings and ordered the disbarment of an attorney who had initiated the investigation by a self-report. He had deposited firm fees into a personal account and, in part, made false denials of the misconduct when first confronted by his firm’s managing partner. 

There was also a bar complaint filed by a person who had served as the lawyer’s secretary for almost six years. The secretary also advised firm management of her concerns. The complaint alleged misappropriation of approximately $300,000, and the lawyer initially falsely denied “a substantial portion of his serious misconduct” by claiming diversion of only $77,500, which he repaid to the firm. He pled guilty to theft offenses and is required to make restitution totalling slightly under $300,000 to the firm as a condition of probation. He also has agreed to plead to federal tax evasion charges. (Mike Frisch)