He was supposed to use the money to settle lawsuits for his client, but instead kept it all for himself.
A Manhasset attorney pleaded guilty today to stealing nearly $230,000 from a client, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced.
Alfred DiGirolomo, Jr., 63, pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny, the top charge against him. He is due back in court for sentencing on June 4, and is expected to get 20 days to six months in jail if he pays the remaining restitution of $131,ooo. If not, he could face one to three years in prison.
"This defendant used his client's money to fund a luxurious lifestyle that included cars, country club membership and a cigar club," Singas said. "Dirty attorneys have no place in Nassau County, and my office is committed to prosecuting any lawyer who victimizes those they represent."
According to Singas, from Jan. 1, 2014 through May 5, 2016, DiGirolomo represented a restaurateur in three different lawsuits. To fund the settlements from those suits, the client paid DiGirolomo $229,990. But instead of sending the money to the people he was supposed to, DiGirolomo kept it for himself. He forged documents that he gave to his client that showed the lawsuits were resolved, but they were not.
After the client hired a new attorney, they found that none of the documents that DiGirolomo claimed were real were every filed with the court. The client contacted the DA's office, which opened a case in January 2017. He was arrested by DA investigators in May 2017.
Instead of using the money to fund the lawsuits, DiGirolomo used it to pay for expenses related to credit cards, utilities, gasoline, automobiles, insurance, department stores, a civic association, a figure skating club, a cigar club and a country club -- all of which were unrelated to his client.
To date, DiGirolomo has paid $99,479 in restitution. He will be automatically disbarred as a result of his guilty plea.
If you believe you may have been a victim of an unscrupulous attorney, Singas encourages you to call the NCDA's Tip Line at 516-571-7755. Anyone interested in hiring an attorney is encouraged to check that person's standing and registration with the Office of Court Administration.
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Nassau Attorney Pleads Guilty To Stealing $230,000 From Client
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