Rocky River attorney indicted for theft from veteran's estate

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Rocky River attorney indicted for theft from veteran's estate

Posted: Aug 29, 2014 2:08 PM CDT Updated: Aug 29, 2014 2:09 PM CDT

By Cleveland 19 Digital Team

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Rocky River attorney indicted for theft from veteran's estate (Source: WOIO)

CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) - A local attorney has been indicted for stealing more $250,000 from the estate of an Army veteran, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty announced Friday.
The Grand Jury indicted Kevin Purcell, 61, on two counts of aggravated theft and one count of tampering with records; all are third-degree felonies.
Purcell lives in Cleveland and has a law office in Rocky River.
The State of Ohio charges that Purcell served first as a guardian for disabled Army veteran John A. Kane, and then as administrator of his estate after Kane died in Columbiana County on March 15, 2012 at age 56.
Purcell used those positions to steal $262,920.24 for his personal use.
The case was referred to the Prosecutor's Office by Cuyahoga County Probate Court.
Kane's sister had filed suit against Purcell after discovering that her brother's funeral bills had not been paid.
On January 9, 2014, Purcell was found guilty in Probate Court of concealing assets belonging to the Guardianship of John A. Kane.

Former Gwinnett County Lawyer Indicted for Stealing Client Funds

Former Gwinnett County Lawyer Indicted for Stealing Client Funds

U.S. Attorney’s Office September 12, 2014

Northern District of Georgia (404) 581-6000

ATLANTA—Former attorney Michael Rene Berlon has been arraigned on federal charges of mail and wire fraud.
“This defendant is charged with defrauding his own clients out of over $1.8 million,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “They came to him for legal help, and instead he drained their bank accounts.”
J. Britt Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated: “Individuals relying on the professionalism and trust of individuals like Mr. Berlon should be able to turn to someone when that trust is violated. The FBI, in being well positioned to investigate such allegations involving the diversion of funds through mail and wire fraud, is that someone.”
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges, and other information presented in court: Berlon, who practiced in Grayson, Ga., through his law firm, the Law Office of Michael R. Berlon, is charged with obtaining funds from clients of his law firm and other individuals through false pretenses. The indictment alleges that some clients provided money to him believing that he would create a trust for them, and would hold the funds in trust. Instead, Berlon used the funds for personal expenses, including to pay his American Express bill and to repay other clients.
The indictment also alleges that in one instance, Berlon obtained money from two individuals who were looking for his assistance with starting a new business. He told the victims that he would help them get a loan, but they were required to provide a percentage of the requested loan amount as a down payment. Instead of assisting them with obtaining a loan, Berlon used the funds for his personal expenses and debts. In total, it is alleged that Berlon received at least $1.8 million in client funds from 2008-2013.
Berlon, 55, of Grayson, Ga., was arraigned before Linda T. Walker, United States Magistrate Judge. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 9, 2014.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Jamie L. Mickelson is prosecuting the case.
Today’s announcement is part of efforts underway by President Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) which was created in November 2009 to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys’ offices and state and local partners, it’s the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. Since its formation, the task force has made great strides in facilitating increased investigation and prosecution of financial crimes; enhancing coordination and cooperation among federal, state and local authorities; addressing discrimination in the lending and financial markets and conducting outreach to the public, victims, financial institutions and other organizations. Over the past three fiscal years, the Justice Department has filed more than 10,000 financial fraud cases against nearly 15,000 defendants including more than 2,700 mortgage fraud defendants. For more information on the task force, visit www.stopfraud.gov.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.Presse-mails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the home page for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division is http://www.justice.gov/usao/gan/.

This content has been reproduced from its original source.

Cumberland County GOP Chairman Allegedly Defrauds Elderly Patient in Rehabilitation Center

UPDATE: Cumberland County GOP Chairman Allegedly Defrauds Elderly Patient in Rehabilitation Center Crime | Tue, 04/01/2014 - 10:19 am | Updated 4 days 13 hours ago | Read 2942 | Commented 3 | Emailed 6 By Herald Staff Robert Greco. ELDORA - The chairman of the Cumberland County Regular Republican Organization has been arrested on charges he took $149,000 from an elderly patient at his Cape May County rehabilitation center to pay for business and personal expenses, according to a report in The Daily Journal. Robert V. Greco Jr., 51, of Cottonwod Drive in Vineland was charged with theft by failure to make required disposition, according to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office. Greco convinced an elderly patient at his East Creek Manor Rehabilitation Center, in Eldora, to sign a power of attorney document giving Greco control of the victim’s finances, authorities alleged. Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor said Greco then took out more than $149,000 from the patient’s financial accounts. The arrest followed a four-month investigation, the prosecutor’s office said. Greco was set at $35,000 bail. He is not listed as an inmate at the Cape May County Jail. The charges against Greco carry a possible sentence for five to 10 years. Greco has served as the Cumberland County GOP chairman since February 2009. Greco has a prior arrest record, which Democrats tried to make a campaign issue during the 2010 election season. He was arrested in 2003 in Cape May County on charges related to an alleged domestic violence incident. Greco was indicted on eight charges, including unlawful possession of a rifle, aggravated assault and abuse of a child. In 2004, he entered a plea of guilty to a charge of threat to kill and was sentenced to three years’ probation, a psychological evaluation and an anger management course; the other charges were dismissed. "I was shocked to learn about the alleged actions of Bob Greco as reported in the press today," said U.S. Rep. Frank Lobiondo in a statement. "Due to the seriousness of the charges, it is only appropriate that Bob resign his chairmanship of the Cumberland County Regular Republican Organization." ***** PROSECUTOR'S RELEASE: After a four month long theft investigation involving the Prosecutor's Office Economic Crimes Unit, police arrested Robert V. Greco Jr., 51, of Vineland. During the course of this investigation, it was determined that Greco, Owner and Administrator of the East Creek Manor Rehabilitation Center, located in Eldora, admitted an elderly patient in Dec. 2012. Upon admitting the victim into the facility, Greco convinced the victim to sign power of attorney documentation giving control of this patient's financial portfolio to Greco. Greco subsequently removed in excess of $149,000 from the victim's bank accounts while the victim resided at the East Creek Rehabilitation Center. These funds were not directly related to the care of the victim but instead were used to pay for expenses that Greco and his business incurred. Greco was subsequently charged with theft by failure to make required disposition, a crime of the second degree, which is subject to a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. Bail was set by Judge F. Thomas Hillegas at $35,000 with 10 percent allowed. This investigation is ongoing and is presently being handled by the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office Economic Crimes Unit. Any information relating to Greco or his rehabilitation center, please contact the Prosecutor's Office at 609-465-1135. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Civil and criminal penalties sought against Beaumont attorney

June 18, 2013 10:13 AM
By David Yates

Beaumont attorney Alto Watson III is facing both criminal charges for burglary and possible disbarment for stealing from his former firm and client.

Watson

As previously reported, the Commission for Lawyer Discipline, an arm of the State Bar of Texas, filed a disciplinary petition against Watson on May 31 in Jefferson County District Court.
According to the Beaumont Enterprise, on May 22 Watson was arrested for burglary of a habitation and family violence. He has since been indicted.
The commission’s petition says that from September 1998 through July 8, 2012, the Law Firm of Gilbert T. Adams employed Watson. During his employment, the suit alleges Watson wrongfully billed clients separately for his services and personally accepted client funds meant for the firm, depositing the money in his personal accounts for his own use and benefit.
For example, the suit claims that on March 2, 2011, Mohd Ali hired the firm for representation in a suit styled Major League Grill Franchise vs. Azam Beaumont Enterprises. Ali agreed to pay the firm $10,000 — $5,000 of which Watson asked the client to pay directly to him. He deposited the funds into his personal account and failed to inform the firm, according to the lawsuit.
Also, Watson requested the court amend an order to include him as a payee from the court’s registry. On March 30, 2012, unknown to Ali and firm, Watson took $11,348 from the court’s registry and deposited the funds into his personal account, the suit alleges.
An additional $5,472 was allegedly taken from the court registry by Watson on June 14, 2012, according to the suit.
In a separate case, on Jan. 27, 2012, Tina Whitacre hired the firm for representation in a potential medical negligence case. Without the firm’s knowledge, Watson requested she pay $2,500 directly to him, which she did, the petition states.
In its suit, the State Bar maintains Watson has engaged in fraud and has violated the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct by holding funds belonging to clients or third persons.
The organization is asking the court to discipline the attorney by reprimand, suspension or disbarment.
Linda Acevedo, chief disciplinary counsel, represents the Bar.
Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, is assigned to the case.
Case No. D194-399

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