Los Angeles Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli sentenced Torres Friday to five years’ probation, the conditions of which include 300 hours of community service. Torres pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of Penal Code Sec. 506, in September.
State Bar spokesperson told the MetNews that Torres last month paid over $97,000 in
restitution to the State Bar for funds paid out by the Client Security Fund to
Lawrence and Rachel Prijoles, plus interest. Torres, whose proffered resignation
from the State Bar was rejected by the Supreme Court, agreed in 2011 to be
disbarred and to pay restitution to the Prijoleses or the fund. According to the disbarment stipulation, the Prijoleses were involved in a head-on collision with a drunk driver in San Diego County in 2005, winning a verdict for more than $500,000 in compensatory damages. The driver then agreed to pay $125,000 to settle the punitive damages part of the claim.
Torres received checks totaling nearly $650,000 from the driver and the driver’s. Of that, nearly $560,000 was disbursed to Torres, his co-counsel, expert witnesses, and the clients.
None of the medical providers were paid, and Torres admitted misappropriating the remaining $89,000 in settlement funds.
The Client Security Fund has also paid $27,100 on four other applications filed against Torres, the State Bar spokesperson said'
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Ex-Lawyer Torres Pays Restitution, Placed on Probation
He bought his way out of jail with restitution.
ReplyDeleteYes, it sounds that way, Thelma, And that leaves me torn because
ReplyDeleteYou didn't end your thought, Stand Up.
ReplyDeleteI think restitution is the most important as it helps those who have been harmed. But, jail time is necessary too. Maybe a lighter sentence when one has paid full restitution?
He shouldn't get to buy his wy out of jail, because he was an attorney. The laws should be more strict for attorneys as they are officers of the court. Also, he didn't steal the money to put food on the table he stole the money because he is greedy and arrogant.
ReplyDeleteI think we are all humans and make mistakes I would knw he was my step dad and buy no means is he greedy and arrogant i would know I grew up with him as a child with my sisters and brothers when we had nothing much we learn from our mistakes in life and learn sometimes in life we are blinded buy too much materialistic items in front of us that we forget what really counts. Family and ethics
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