Sunday, June 28, 2009

Lawyer Guilty of Fraud

Beverly W. Hersh wanted most of her $12 million fortune to go to charities and other worthy causes after her death in 2005.

But prosecutors say her lawyer gave about $9 million to himself, friends and relatives.

Cincinnati lawyer Robert L. Schwartz pleaded guilty to federal charges of mail fraud and filing a false income tax return in connection with his handling of Hersh's estate.

Schwartz was supposed to move Hersh's money into trusts that would be used to benefit worthy causes, but federal prosecutors say he used most of the money for personal expenditures and gifts to friends and associates.

The fraud charge is tied to his failure to give $2.5 million to Hadassah Hospital in Israel, as Hersh had instructed him to do. Schwartz also gave away large sums of money from a $6.3 million "discretionary trust" that he controlled, prosecutors say.

Full Article and Source:
Lawyer pleads guilty to mail fraud

8 comments:

AntiShyster said...

Another "help yourself" guy.

Let's "kill all the lawyers"!

AntiShyster said...

Another thieving lawyer bites the dust! And it ain't getting better in this economy!

Watch your wallets, folks!

tvfields said...

I am a resident of the state (Ohio) where this report oirginated. After reading this report, I sent the reporter the following e-mail:


Dear Mr. Horn,

I would like to know what the current Elder Abuse Commission here in Ohio should and will do to PREVENT such crimes in the future?

Does the attached letter to AoA Secretary Walker suggest a good starting point? This letter has already been shared with Ursel McElroy and Todd Dieffender, the two members of the Ohio AG's office who are responsible for staffing the Commission. Ursel responded to it on 4/22 "With respect to the letter, it will be circulated for consideration by the Commission. To ensure the letter is given adequate time and attention, it will be placed on the agenda for a nearby future meeting." Has the Commission considered it? If so, I've been neither informed of its consideration or included in its discussion.

My involvement in this field goes back nearly 20 years ago. My acquaintance with Ursel goes back to 2005, when she chaired the steering committee which was appointed to implement the recommendations of the governor's 2004 elder abuse task force. If you're interested, I can shed much more light on this subject. I hope the attached letter makes this clear.

Anonymous said...

Good for you, TVFields! Well done.

Anonymous said...

Notice they usually get caught for wire or mail fraud? It's not the stealing itself -- but the wire or mail fraud.

Anonymous said...

Another lawyer with a criminal mind and greed in his heart.

Robert L. Schwartz belongs in prison, he is a threat to society.

Anonymous said...

Lock this sob up and keep him off the street!

Anonymous said...

bob also used that money to buy up properties to try and hide the money, then put low life drug dealers in the properties, i hope someone takes these properties away from him also