Oneida County Court Judge Michael L. Dwyer “reluctantly” adjourned the sentencing of former financial adviser Dorene Dorn after she hired a new attorney.
Dorn was due to be sentenced Monday after she was found guilty in early February of second-degree grand larceny and fourth-degree conspiracy related to the thefts of more than $350,000 from an elderly client between 2003 and 2004.
But after Dorn recently hired attorney Frank Policelli to replace attorney Les Lewis, who had represented Dorn throughout the trial, Dwyer agreed to postpone the sentencing until Monday, May 11.
Full Article and Source:
Judge ‘reluctantly’ adjourns Dorn sentencing
A generous $20,000 gift from an elderly Utica man to his attorney Mary Helene Hamlin set in motion the scheme that ultimately would drain more than $350,000 from his estate, Hamlin said in Oneida County Court. Hamlin pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny.
During her plea, Hamlin explained how the funds of John B. Hatfield Sr. were unknowingly transferred from his account to her trust fund and other accounts between 2003 and 2004.
Although Hamlin accepted her own guilt, she did not hesitate to mention another woman’s role in the misappropriation of funds that left Hatfield’s estate roughly half its size by the time of his death in early 2005.
Hamlin’s co-defendant, Dorene Dorn, could be seen writing notes from the back of the courtroom as Hamlin repeatedly implicated Dorn.
Hamlin said of the stolen funds: “Some went to Dorene, some went to me.”
Full Article and Source:
Ex-attorney pleads guilty in theft from client
More information:
Hamlin testifies against Dorn, now jury to deliberate
Defendant doesn't take the stand in Dorn case
Dorene Dorn found guilty of grand larceny and conspiracy
Dorn was due to be sentenced Monday after she was found guilty in early February of second-degree grand larceny and fourth-degree conspiracy related to the thefts of more than $350,000 from an elderly client between 2003 and 2004.
But after Dorn recently hired attorney Frank Policelli to replace attorney Les Lewis, who had represented Dorn throughout the trial, Dwyer agreed to postpone the sentencing until Monday, May 11.
Full Article and Source:
Judge ‘reluctantly’ adjourns Dorn sentencing
A generous $20,000 gift from an elderly Utica man to his attorney Mary Helene Hamlin set in motion the scheme that ultimately would drain more than $350,000 from his estate, Hamlin said in Oneida County Court. Hamlin pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny.
During her plea, Hamlin explained how the funds of John B. Hatfield Sr. were unknowingly transferred from his account to her trust fund and other accounts between 2003 and 2004.
Although Hamlin accepted her own guilt, she did not hesitate to mention another woman’s role in the misappropriation of funds that left Hatfield’s estate roughly half its size by the time of his death in early 2005.
Hamlin’s co-defendant, Dorene Dorn, could be seen writing notes from the back of the courtroom as Hamlin repeatedly implicated Dorn.
Hamlin said of the stolen funds: “Some went to Dorene, some went to me.”
Full Article and Source:
Ex-attorney pleads guilty in theft from client
More information:
Hamlin testifies against Dorn, now jury to deliberate
Defendant doesn't take the stand in Dorn case
Dorene Dorn found guilty of grand larceny and conspiracy
The immediate solution to the lawyer/fiduciary problemm of defalcation of trust funds is that there MUST be MANDATORY bonding, with NO judicial discretion!
ReplyDeleteIt was the right thing to do so as to avoid an appealable issue.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the judge's reluctance as it indicates he wants to get it over with and Dorn dealt with -- hopefully appropriately.
ReplyDeleteI hope with the extra time the judge has given, the judge himself gets worked up in a lather so he can give Dorn a strong sentence.
ReplyDeleteLots of jail time, ordered to pay resitution, ordered to pay extra for mental anguish, and shamed forever - something along those lines!
"Dorn was convicted of funneling thousands of dollars from the estate of John Hatfield ...... did so with the help of her close friend, Helene Hamlin, who was Hatfield’s ESTATE ATTORNEY at the time."
ReplyDeleteAnother example of the what lawyers are capable of doing all in the name of......GREED.
Yet, the courts routinely appoint their buddies in the guardianship loop of lawyers as guardians of wards of the state.
The same dirty tricks are being used to plunder their wards estates, case after case, leaving their wards impoverished and on MEDICAID paid for by..you and me, the honest, hardworking taxpayers.
Something wrong with this picture?
As long as Dorn gets what's coming, I guess that's the important thing and we can wait for justice a bit longer.
ReplyDeleteAs long as she gets what's coming to her.
Dorene Dorn is a snake and she belongs in a snake pit with others like her.
ReplyDeleteJudge Dwyer made the right decision even though he wanted to close this case. It is difficult sometimes for judges knowing what they know that we don't know.