Maryland Attorney Cops Plea To Stealing $260K From Dead Friend's Trust

Attorney James Lee Coffin, 54, of Crownsville, Maryland pleaded guilty this week to stealing more than $260,000 over a two year period from a family trust that he was hired to manage, according to a story in The Capital. Reportedly, he used the money towards buying a house, and also, the money came in handy in helping him avoid telling his wife that he lost his job at a law firm. Stealing the money made it look like he was still working.

Coffin was considered a friend by the family patriarch who hired him to manage the family trust. When the patriarch became ill in December 2002 and was not expected to live much longer, Coffin reportedly went to the hospital and promised him and his family that he would make sure the family was financially secure. He failed to keep his word. For more, see Attorney convicted of stealing $260,000 (Crownsville man stole from trust fund).