Trust But Verify

The North Carolina State Bar has filed a complaint alleging that an attorney had delegated trust account administration to a paralegal who stole entrusted funds.

Notably, it is alleged that he continued to employ her after learning of the thefts in June 2012. He nonetheless continued to allow her unsupervised access to the account.

He did terminate the paralegal after discovering further thefts in August 2013.

A routine bar audit discovered the problem and led to the charges.

It is alleged that the paralegal stole approximately $79,000.

The Jefferson Post had the story of the criminal case against the paralegal.

According to courtroom testimony, Roark used the credit card of attorney Andrew Jackson to make several personal purchases from Jan. 10, 2012 to Oct. 31, 2013. The prosecution stated that instead of making extravagent purchases, such as a house or boat, she instead used the credit card at several area restaurants and businesses.

Roark wrote a letter of apology to Jackson, but did not make a statement before the court.

Her attorney said that Roark’s family was recently in dire financial straits – they have been forced to take out several mortgages on their house – in the process of raising three children, said her attorney.

Since her arrest, she has found work as an appointment scheduler at a local doctor’s office.

As part of the terms of her probation, Roark is prohibited from being in a future position that would require her to handle money.

(Mike Frisch)