Thursday, August 25, 2016

Ohio State Court's Client Protection Fund Shells Out Nearly $300K To Reimburse Ripped Off Clients Of 11 Ethically-Impaired Attorneys, And Clients Of 4 Others Who Passed Away Prior To Completing Their Professional Services

Court News Ohio reports:
  • The Board of Commissioners of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection awarded $297,671.06 to 48 victims of attorney theft at its quarterly meeting June 10 in Cleveland.(1)

    In all, 15 former or suspended Ohio attorneys were found to have misappropriated client funds. Four deceased attorneys also were involved in the claims presented to the board. Here are the award amounts, which attorney was involved in the misappropriation, and the county of origin.

    Cuyahoga County

    The board determined that former clients of seven attorneys were eligible for reimbursement.

    A former client of suspended attorney Gary R. Axner was reimbursed $1,350 as a result of Axner’s failure to provide the services requested. Axner’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended indefinitely on July 13, 2015.

    A former client of former attorney Kenneth J. Freeman was reimbursed $1,200 as a result of Freeman’s failure to provide the services requested. Freeman was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on March 6, 2013.

    Five former clients of former attorney Paul M. Kaufman were reimbursed a total of $50,990 as a result of Kaufman’s failure to account for and/or distribute funds belonging to his clients. Kaufman resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on April 1, 2015.

    A former client of former attorney Kevin Purcell was reimbursed $3,600 as a result of Purcell’s failure to provide the services requested. Purcell resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on May 28, 2015.

    A former client of deceased attorney James T. Schumacher was reimbursed $229.06 as a result of Schumacher’s failure to complete the services requested before his death on Oct. 10, 2013.

    Two former clients of deceased attorney Stephen O. Walker were reimbursed $21,000 as a result of Walker’s failure to complete the services requested before his death on Sept. 11, 2014.

    Two former clients of former attorney James W. Westfall Jr. were reimbursed a total of $2,769 as a result of Westfall’s failure to provide the services requested. Westfall resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Aug. 30, 2013.

    Erie County

    A former client of former attorney Roger S. Stark was reimbursed $3,000 as a result of Stark’s failure to account for funds belonging to his client. Stark resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, Aug. 17, 2015.

    Franklin County

    The board awarded reimbursement to former clients of four attorneys.

    Fifteen former clients of suspended attorney Mohammed Noure Alo were reimbursed a total of $75,905 as a result of Alo’s failure to provide the services requested. Alo’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended indefinitely on Aug. 17, 2015.

    Two former clients of suspended attorney Javier H. Armengau were reimbursed a total of $7,000 as a result of Armengau’s failure to provide the services requested. Armengau’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended on Sept. 15, 2014 following his felony conviction.

    Former clients of deceased attorney Ted R. Howard were reimbursed $420 as a result of Howard’s failure to complete the services requested before his death on Feb. 18, 2015.

    Former clients of suspended attorney Joseph D. Reed were reimbursed $1,000 as a result of Reed’s failure to provide the services requested. Reed’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended on March 8.

    Hamilton County

    A former client of former attorney Harold K. Garrison was reimbursed $1,500 as a result of Garrison’s failure to provide the services requested. Garrison resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, March 24, 2014.

    Huron County

    Five former clients of suspended attorney Charles R. Smith III were reimbursed a total of $5,413 as a result of Smith’s failure to provide the services requested. Smith’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended indefinitely on March 10.

    Mahoning County

    Two former clients of suspended attorney Frank N. Fagnano were reimbursed a total of $854 as a result of Fagnano’s failure to provide the services requested. Fagnano’s license to practice of law in Ohio was suspended indefinitely on Feb. 3.

    Montgomery County

    Two former clients of deceased attorney James R. Greene III were reimbursed a total of $12,500 as a result of Greene’s failure to complete the services requested before his death on May 28, 2014.

    Morrow County

    Former clients of former attorney William M. Adams were reimbursed $1,930 as a result of Adams’ failure to provide the services requested. Adams resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on April 18, 2014.

    Preble County

    Three former clients of suspended attorney James W. Thomas Jr. were reimbursed a total of $106,186 as a result of Thomas’ failure to account for client funds. Thomas’ license to practice law in Ohio was suspended indefinitely on April 20.

    Trumbull County

    A former client of suspended attorney Robert L. Johnson was reimbursed $825 as a result of Johnson’s failure to provide the services requested. An Interim Default Suspension from the practice of law in Ohio was entered against Johnson on March 4, 2014
    ---------------------------
    The Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, formerly known as the Clients’ Security Fund, was created in 1985 by the Supreme Court of Ohio to reimburse victims of attorney theft, embezzlement or misappropriation. The fund is not taxpayer funded, but is financed by registration fees paid by every Ohio attorney. Ohio has more than 44,000 attorneys engaged in the active practice of law. Less than 1 percent of those attorneys is involved in claims reimbursed by the fund.

    Law clients who believe they have sustained financial losses resulting from attorney theft, embezzlement or misappropriation should contact the fund by calling 614.387.9390 or 1.800.231.1680.
Source: 48 Victims of Attorney Theft Awarded Nearly $300,000.
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(1) The Ohio Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection is an agency of the Supreme Court of Ohio created to reimburse victims of attorney theft, embezzlement or misappropriation. The Board of Commissioners of the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection determines which claims are eligible for reimbursement. After the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection staff investigates the claims, they are submitted to the Board for a determination of eligibility.

The maximum award amount is $75,000 per client.

For similar "attorney ripoff reimbursement funds" that attempt to clean up the financial mess created by the dishonest conduct of lawyers licensed in other states and Canada, see:
Maps available courtesy of The National Client Protection Organization, Inc.

posted by Home Equity Theft Reporter at 4:04 AM