Federal authorities have charged that a prominent criminal lawyer cut from his brother's will helped produce fakes after the brother and sister-in-law died in a plane crash.
According to the indictment, John Karoly and his brother, Peter, disbanded their law practice in an acrimonious 1986 split. A year earlier, Peter Karoly and his wife, Lauren Angstadt, had signed wills leaving their estate to various siblings, except John.
On Feb. 2, 2007, the couple died along with a pilot when their small plane crashed in bed weather trying to land at an airport in New Bedford, Mass. They had no children.
Karoly, along with his son, John "J.P." Karoly III, and Dr. John J. Shane, a family friend, later conspired to create phony wills that included John Karoly, J.P. Karoly, and several other nieces and nephews as heirs.
A related civil suit over the disputed wills is already pending in civil court.
Full Article and Source:
Feds: Pa. lawyer faked will after brother's death
See also:
Prominent Attorney, Two Others Indicted for Alleged Fraud
Attorney John Karoly, others charged with fraud over brother's will
Indictment gives timeline
Prominent Lehigh Valley lawyer John Karoly Jr. scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Allentown federal court on will fraud charges
Lawyer pleads not guilty in will-forging case
According to the indictment, John Karoly and his brother, Peter, disbanded their law practice in an acrimonious 1986 split. A year earlier, Peter Karoly and his wife, Lauren Angstadt, had signed wills leaving their estate to various siblings, except John.
On Feb. 2, 2007, the couple died along with a pilot when their small plane crashed in bed weather trying to land at an airport in New Bedford, Mass. They had no children.
Karoly, along with his son, John "J.P." Karoly III, and Dr. John J. Shane, a family friend, later conspired to create phony wills that included John Karoly, J.P. Karoly, and several other nieces and nephews as heirs.
A related civil suit over the disputed wills is already pending in civil court.
Full Article and Source:
Feds: Pa. lawyer faked will after brother's death
See also:
Prominent Attorney, Two Others Indicted for Alleged Fraud
Attorney John Karoly, others charged with fraud over brother's will
Indictment gives timeline
Prominent Lehigh Valley lawyer John Karoly Jr. scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Allentown federal court on will fraud charges
Lawyer pleads not guilty in will-forging case
It's happening, and it's about time. How long can these things be kept quiet?
ReplyDeleteThe organized Bar strikes out at honest lawyers by disbarring them; but they have been protecting the thieves and other bad guys just to save their own reputation.
As a result the image of the profession is at its lowest ebb in history. Stop ten people on the street and ask them if they've had a problem with a lawyer. Nine out of ten will say "Yes."
Lawyers have all the tools and influence to get away with almost any crime they decide to undertake.
ReplyDeleteI guess we're lucky they're mostly just greedy and few are actual murderers.
This Lawyer should be disbarred AND serve an EXTENSIVE prison term as he was an AGENT of the court and violated every ethical conduct outlined in their practice book.
ReplyDeleteHey, how about asking 100 persons on the street:
ReplyDeleteDo you trust lawyers to be honest and truthful?
Would you trust a lawyer with your money?
I bet you, their answers would be universal 99-100 folks (oops questioned one lawyer) answers would be X-rated, thereby, leaving the answers too graphic and offensive to be published.
That's right Watcher -- and I'll add to that, he should have to pay a big, hefty fine!
ReplyDeleteHarsh punishments for those convicted/or admit to corruption, and who hold positions of authority, or that reqire public trust, ahould suffer the hasrshest punishment so as to deter continued abuses of that trust. It's the ONLY deterrent that would work.
ReplyDeleteSome are who work for Government could have part or ALL of their pensions denied, but that decision should NEVER be made by a single judge. That decision should be made by a balanced panel of 5 RETIRED judges (not any who hold a present position) AND the person in question should not be allowed to "retire early" with pension intact.
Too many have gotten away with too many abuses. People who want a voice in their Government should check to see if they have a Constitutional Convention opportunity in their state. If not, GET IT at first opportunity.
Help!! We are in the thick of it. A co-guardian and our attorney are robbing our family member in Florida... we are in NY. They are filing ridiculous motions, boldface lies and deception, using ever stall tactic in the book in an attempt to do a straw buy on the home. It is so out of control now, is like we are under constant attack. We are in dire need of help. We hired a new attorney but that seems like it was a bad idea and a total waste now,
ReplyDeleteCan anybody help us?>
Keggy, Pinellas and Palm Beach Counties have guardianship fraud hotlines. If the case is in one of those counties, we suggest you contact them.
ReplyDeleteAnd also consider joining NASGA. Join by going to our main site, www.StopGuardianAbuse.org, to the "Join NASGA advocates for reform" page.
What you're going through is happening all over the country. You are not alone.