Charles Barnes has worked as a probate attorney for many years, and now he stands accused of embezzlement and forgery. Prosecutors say he spent nearly $150,000 that belonged to a client. The prosecution says he was holding the money for a family's estate, but when they tried to get it back, it was gone.
According to court records, Barnes was hired in February, 2007, to handle the probate of Faye Glenn's estate - including her checking account, transferred to Barnes' Attorney Trust Account at BancFirst.
Court records say that Barnes told investigators that he had spent the money because he had gotten into a financial hole. Investigators say that Barnes later attempted to cover his tracks by writing the family a check from his wife's account that he knew was closed. He is also accused of forging his wife's signature on that check.
According to Stephens County District Attorney Bret Burns, despite the fact that Barnes was supposed to reimburse $150,000 to the executor of the estate, Barnes had yet to do so after the probate period ended. Burns said:"So there was a large sum of money just sitting there." "They had been asking for that money back for the past year and they got different excuses, until they finally found out it was gone."
Barnes was booked into jail earlier in the week and released on a $148,000 bond - the amount he is accused of embezzling. The district attorney is asking anyone else who may have had a financial problem with Charles Barnes to contact his office or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
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Duncan lawyer accused of embezzlement
According to court records, Barnes was hired in February, 2007, to handle the probate of Faye Glenn's estate - including her checking account, transferred to Barnes' Attorney Trust Account at BancFirst.
Court records say that Barnes told investigators that he had spent the money because he had gotten into a financial hole. Investigators say that Barnes later attempted to cover his tracks by writing the family a check from his wife's account that he knew was closed. He is also accused of forging his wife's signature on that check.
According to Stephens County District Attorney Bret Burns, despite the fact that Barnes was supposed to reimburse $150,000 to the executor of the estate, Barnes had yet to do so after the probate period ended. Burns said:"So there was a large sum of money just sitting there." "They had been asking for that money back for the past year and they got different excuses, until they finally found out it was gone."
Barnes was booked into jail earlier in the week and released on a $148,000 bond - the amount he is accused of embezzling. The district attorney is asking anyone else who may have had a financial problem with Charles Barnes to contact his office or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.
Full Article and Source:
Duncan lawyer accused of embezzlement
Attorney thieves should suffer stiffer punishment. People put their trust in their attorney. Attorneys who betray that trust should always be disbarred and their punishment should be heavier than the average person would be punished.
ReplyDeleteIf attorneys were held accountable for their misdeeds, many of them might clean up their act.
I agree. Lawyers are perceived to be in positions of honesty and trust.
ReplyDeleteLawyers take an oath.
Lawyers know they are breaking the law when they fraudulently bill and/or embezzle money.
Lawyers who are guilty of disregarding their oath, those who betray their clients, society and the courts must be harshly punished with mandatory prison sentences.
And, to show that we are very serious, their photos should be on the front page of the newspapers with all the details of their crimes and the punishment they received.
Ask the people that have been taken advantage of by Barnes, Esq. I'm one of those people. His feet should be held to the fire and kept there. When convicted he should NOT be sent to a white collar prison and given the royal treatment. We suffered when our loved one passed away. And now we are suffering again. He was tasked with paying the bills and did not do that minor task. I would love to be on the jury. I'm only sorry it's not a capital crime he committed.
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