Coconut Creek lawyer charged with grand theftCoconut Creek lawyer charged with grand theftCoconut Creek lawyer charged with grand theft

Coconut Creek lawyer charged with grand theft

Coconut Creek lawyer charged with grand theft

Coconut Creek attorney Nicholas Theodore Steffens turned himself in to a Broward County jail to face charges of grand theft after prosecutors said more than a half-million dollars were misappropriated from foreclosure transactions.
 

Coconut Creek attorney Nicholas Theodore Steffens turned himself in to a Broward County jail to face charges of grand theft after prosecutors said more than a half-million dollars were misappropriated from foreclosure transactions.
 

Linda TrischittaContact ReporterSouth Florida Sun-Sentinel

Attorney Nicholas Steffens was charged with grand theft in connection with misappropriated funds

Coconut Creek attorney Nicholas Theodore Steffens turned himself in to a Broward County jail to face charges of grand theft after prosecutors said more than a half-million dollars were misappropriated from foreclosure transactions.
Last month the Supreme Court of Florida suspended Steffens, 36, of Parkland, from practicing law, based on an ongoing investigation by the Florida Bar.

In four mortgage foreclosure cases, funds totaling $654,696.83 were used to pay Steffens' personal expenses and to pay money owed to a mortgage lender or loan servicing company, an arrest affidavit said.
Two transactions happened in Miami-Dade County and two were in Broward County.

The Florida Bar said it opened its investigation into Steffens on Jan. 29 and on Sept. 16 filed its petition for emergency suspension, which the Supreme Court approved two days later.
With ongoing disciplinary proceedings that could eventually mean disbarment, Steffens filed a document on Sept. 28 with the Supreme Court to voluntarily surrender his law license, his lawyer Kevin Tynan said.
The court's response is pending.
Meanwhile, Steffens cannot accept new clients and had to stop representing existing clients 30 days after his suspension, according to the court's order.
He also had to notify clients, opposing lawyers and the courts of his status with the Bar. And he was ordered to stop disbursing or withdrawing any monies from clients' trust accounts related to his law practice without the Supreme Court's approval.
Broward County Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer ordered a $200,000 bond for Steffens, who surrendered on Tuesday. To get out of jail before trial, Steffens must show that the bond money is from legal sources.
Steffens' criminal attorney, Larry Davis, did not return a call seeking comment.
Steffens has been active in county politics and has served as an officer with the Coral Springs/Parkland Democratic Club.
In 2012, he was a candidate for the Broward County school board, District 4, but did not win office. At that time, his civic and political activities included the Broward County Children's Services Board; Parkland Education Advisory Board and Broward County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
Ltrischitta@Tribune.com, 954-356-4233 or Twitter @LindaTrischitta

Copyright © 2015, Sun Sentinel

• Trials and Arbitration

Alton lawyer gives up law license

May 22-- ALTON-- An Alton attorney facing felony drug charges and discipline from a state agency has voluntarily given up his law license. The Illinois Supreme Court earlier this month approved Brad Hunt's motion to give up his license. The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission claimed that Hunt kept that $60,000 to pay his own taxes and to a...

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By Sanford Schmidt, The Telegraph, Alton, Ill.

McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

May 22--ALTON -- An Alton attorney facing felony drug charges and discipline from a state agency has voluntarily given up his law license.The Illinois Supreme Court earlier this month approved Brad Hunt's motion to give up his license.Hunt is well-known for defending drug suspects and others. He was charged last August with two felony counts of unlawful production of marijuana plants and a count of misdemeanor unlawful possession of marijuana. The charges are still pending.He was already facing disciplinary action for allegedly keeping $60,000 for his own use. The money was supposed to be placed in a trust fund for his client in case any further litigation was required.The case revolved around a minor who was made disabled after being shot in 1997. An insurance company made a settlement of $200,000. A judge ordered Hunt to set up the fund for future expenses of possible litigation against the gun maker.The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission claimed that Hunt kept that $60,000 to pay his own taxes and to a payment down on a mortgage on his own house. Shortly after the commission filed the complaint, Hunt said in a brief interview that he never received the order telling him to set up the fund.Hunt could not be reached Thursday for comment.Hunt was also facing discipline for practicing law when he was not on the roles of lawyers permitted to practice. The commission said he filed briefs and made court appearances after he was removed from the roles for allegedly failing to pay his license fees for 2014.Hunt, 56, of East 12th Street, Alton, is accused of growing 24 marijuana plants in a home he owns in the 3600 block of Horn Street. He was charged last August.An officer noticed signs of a burglary, and police said they received a tip that told them they might want to check out the basement. Police allege they found the plants in the basement.Sanford J. Schmidt can be reached at 618-208-6446 or Twitter @SanfordSan.

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