Manhattan Lawyer Indicted for Stealing $213K From Victim Settlements

A thieving Manhattan lawyer used wacky excuses to stall off his victim clients -- including that a moose had run into his car, prosecutors said today.

The "moose excuse" didn't save Brian Reis, 52, from getting indicted for allegedly stealing $213,000 in settlements and retainer fees from four victims.

Reis -- a father of four from Morristown, NJ -- stole a $90,000 lawsuit settlement from one victim client, then kept him at bay for five years via a series of what DA Cyrus Vance called "preposterous excuses."

In addition to invoking the imaginary moose, Reis told the client that his car had caught fire and exploded and that his father was in the hospital, according to court papers.

Reis, who was disbarred last month, spent some $640,000 on online gambling since 2007, according to court papers. Assistant district attorney Jose Fanjul told a judge today that prosecutors will seek an at least two-year prison sentence.

"Mr. Reis recognizes his obligations and is making efforts to provide restitution," his lawyer, Michael Bachner, told reporters after his client pleaded not guilty to scheme to defraud and grand larceny.

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Manhattan Lawyer Indicted for Stealing $213K From Victim Settlements