Friday, December 10, 2010

OH: Lawyer Suspended for Cheating Elderly Ward

A probate lawyer who admitted to scamming an elderly ward out of more than $20,000 was suspended from practicing law indefinitely [12/2/2010].

The Ohio Supreme Court unanimously imposed the penalty against Jeffrey A. Zapor, who had been appointed by the Franklin County Probate Court as the guardian of an 86-year-old Columbus woman.

Zapor, 33, admitted to making $20,876 in unauthorized withdrawals from the woman's bank account in 2007 and 2008. He was convicted of fifth-degree felony theft in December 2009.

Zapor, who moved to Sylvania near Toledo, attributed his behavior to problems with alcohol and gambling, court records show.

In its decision today, the Supreme Court said Zapor would need to demonstrate that he has sought treatment before he may petition to be reinstated as a lawyer.

"(Zapor's) testimony also suggested that he has taken steps to resolve his substance-abuse and gambling problems, which he claims played at least some role in his poor choices," the court noted.

Full Article and Source:
Lawyer Suspended For Cheating Elderly Ward

3 comments:

Holly said...

Glad to see they caught Zapor stealing this ward/prisoners money but where is the ward/prisoner? How has this poor 86 yr. old woman been effected by the injustice??

Anonymous said...

The victim may indeed have been victimized but this time "legally" ... as in court-approved.

Larry said...

He should be disbarred forever and sent to jail.