Disbarred Lawyer/Gambling Addict Fails In Attempt To "Extort" Probation Sentence After Bilking Clients Out Of $167K

In New Port Richey, Florida, The Tampa Tribune reports:

• Disbarred, disgraced and facing grand theft charges as a result of a bizarre gambling habit, former lawyer David Edward Olson rolled the dice one last time Thursday and lost again. Olson pleaded no contest to 17 counts of grand theft and then asked Circuit Judge Thane Covert to disregard state sentencing guidelines and put him on probation. Assistant State Attorney James Goodnow called the gambit "extortion" and said Olson was "holding the victims hostage" by offering to pay $167,000 in remaining restitution to the clients he bilked on the condition he receive probation. "This court should be offended by this offer, if not outraged," Goodnow told Covert after three hours of testimony from Olson's supporters and those he robbed. "I ask you to call the cards on this gamble," the prosecutor said. "He's looking to extort probation from this court."

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• Three years in prison, a term longer than the state guideline, is the proper punishment, Covert decided. And when he gets out, Olson will serve two years of house arrest followed by 15 years' probation with the requirement he repay the $167,000, Covert ruled.

For more, see Former Lawyer Gets 3 Years For Bilking Clients Of $167,000.

If a Florida attorney is representing you and screws you out of money or property through dishonest conduct, go to The Florida Bar's Clients' Security Fund for more information. For other states and Canada, see:

• Directory Of Lawyers' Funds For Client Protection (American Bar Association - February, 2008);
• Check the USA Client Protection Funds Map;
• Check the Canada Client Protection Funds Map.