Asbestos Lawyer on Trial

Article Added June 20th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

A Miami plaintiff attorney pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to more than 40 counts of mail fraud and misappropriating funds. The indictment will now go to trial, with the lawyer having someone else defend him.

A once-prominent attorney from Miami is now looking at over 40 charges of fraud and misappropriating more than $13 million in asbestos settlements. A Public Defender was assigned after the initial lawyer, given a $100,000 retainer, backed out of the case. Bond was set at $1.25 million, and was not posted as of Tuesday evening. If convicted of all counts against him, he could spend life in prison and have his assets seized to compensate the clients that were scammed.

The suit alleges that he used trust money from his clients for everything from movie investments to child support. Many of his clients are dying from asbestos exposure and have received no settlements, while paying large fees to the attorney for representation. The attorney had been disbarred in 2003 after multiple client complaints, prompting the indictment that may lead to the fall of one of the largest class action and mass tort lawyers. The lawyer’s companies employs over 12,000 people nationwide.

Article Added June 20th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story