Some NY Attorneys In Hot Water For Real Estate Related Fraud

Eight lawyers or former lawyers from the Lower Hudson Valley have been charged, pleaded guilty, sentenced, or investigated by state or federal prosecutors in the past two months, according to an article in The Journal News, reported at nynews.com.

Among the lawyers in hot water is Pleasantville attorney Anthony Bellettieri, who is currently under a federal investigation in the theft of more than $10 million from real estate escrow accounts of clients. Further, J.P. Morgan Chase has sued him and his firm in December, saying $17 million was stolen through a check-kiting scheme. The attorney representing Bellettieri's law partners - Robert Fonte and Tara Anne Laudonio - claims that his clients are also victims in the case.

For the full story, see Lots of lawyers are making headlines, but as defendants.

For other recent attorney related investigations for real estate fraud, see:

• Lawyer Nailed In Shady "Cash Back" Land Deal
• Theft Of Client Funds Concerns Connecticut Bar Association
• Massachusetts Cops Probe Attorney Involvement In Loan Scams
• Attorney Charged With Theft of 300K+ Home Sale Proceeds
• Westchester DA Nabs Attorneys For Alleged Theft Of "Home Sale Proceeds"
• FBI Investigate NY Attorney For Alleged $600,000+ Theft Of Home Sale Proceeds

For other stories involving real estate related fraud by attorneys and closing agents, see this collection of reports at The Mortgage Fraud Blog, presented by The Prieston Group.
Go here for stories on other alleged escrow agent mishandling of funds. sneaky slick escrow agents alpha