Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Former Columbus attorney, guardian pleads guilty to theft


COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A former Columbus attorney who served as a court-appointed guardian to nearly 400 Ohioans admitted he stole from four of his wards and from taxpayers.

The Columbus Dispatch reports (http://bit.ly/1SLSZAS ) 65-year-old Paul Kormanik pleaded guilty Tuesday to four counts of theft from an elderly or disabled person, one count of theft and five counts of tampering with records. The maximum combined sentence for the offenses is 23 years.

Prosecutors say Kormanik took just over $40,000 from accounts belonging to three of his wards after they had died and moved an additional $6,368 in life-insurance proceeds he received as guardian of another woman to his personal checking account.

Kormanik also falsified applications for city-paid funeral expenses on behalf of his wards by concealing their assets.

Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 20.

Full Article & Source:
Former Columbus attorney, guardian pleads guilty to theft

See Also:
Lawyer charged with stealing from wards, bilking burial fund 

Investigations launched into billing by lawyers appointed as guardians

Wards of indicted guardian are missing items, relatives say

Guardianship bill needed

3 comments:

Gianna3063@gmail.com said...

it's time to hold these guardians accountable for negligence and profit over people. Keep up the good work!

StandUp said...

I hope he gets the longest sentence possible.

Sharon said...

Another one bites the dust!