Vero Beach Attorney Facing Charges Involving $4.5M In "Mishandled" Client Escrow Funds Declared Indigent; Taxpayers To Foot Bill For Criminal Defense

In Vero Beach, Florida, TC Palm reports:

• Indian River County Judge Daniel L. Vaughn ruled Friday that disbarred attorney Ira C. Hatch Jr. cannot afford to pay for his criminal defense. Local taxpayers will cover his costs, which could exceed $50,000. Hatch remains in Indian River County jail in lieu of $3 million bail on 57 criminal counts in connection with the financial operations of Coastal Escrow Services Inc. and the law firm Hatch & Doty. He is charged with crimes ranging from grand theft to racketeering. Under the ruling, taxpayers are now liable for expenses associated with Hatch's pretrial depositions, court reporters, a forensic accountant and an investigator.

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• When asked after the hearing why Hatch's family members could not pay his criminal defense, [Attorney Greg] Eisenmenger said, "Under case law...a rich spouse is not liable for defending a spouse." "The law on that point is very pro-defendant," said Assistant State Attorney Lev Evans, whose office is prosecuting Hatch.

For more, see Hatch found 'indigent', taxpayers to foot the bill.

Go here for earlier posts on Ira Hatch & Coastal Escrow Services.