Gerald Baker couldn't say exactly where he spent more than $34,000 he was supposed to have given clients, only that he took the money "without [it] being forwarded on to the parties involved."A lawyer who was placed on an indefinite suspension last year by the Supreme Court of Ohio, Baker pleaded guilty in Lucas County Common Pleas Court yesterday to grand theft. He admitted stealing the money that had been entrusted to him as an insurance settlement for a client.
Baker, 60, of Spencer Township, faces up to 1 1/2 years in prison when sentenced April 21. As part of the plea, he agreed to pay $34,380 to one client and $1,739 to another.
"I received a check from an insurance company as a result of a settlement for a homeowner's fire," Mr. Baker told Judge Gene Zmuda yesterday. "I deposited the money into my [client trust] account and [depleted] the account over time."
Baker's license suspension was a result of charges filed by the Toledo Bar Association alleging nine counts of misconduct dating to 2003. One of those counts led to criminal charges against Baker.
Full Article and Source:
Toledo Lawyer Pleads Guilty to Taking Clients' Funds
See Also:
Lawyer Accused of Grand Theft
3 comments:
I am glad he pleaded guilty and saved the taxpayers the expense.
With the economy as it is this type of crime will unfortunately be seen more often. Watch out for Judges, Professional Guardians, Fiduciaries, the Lawyers and many more. These people are in a position of trust but, not trustable!! Be ware...
From what is printed of his statement, he's pretty cold. But at least he did save the public the cost of a trial.
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