Manhasset attorney pleads guilty to stealing $230K

Alfred DiGirolomo pleaded guilty

By: Adina Genn

A Manhasset attorney pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing $230,000 from a client, authorities said.

Alfred DiGirolomo pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny, according to Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas.

Authorities say that DiGirolomo’s client, a restaurateur, gave him that money to fund several lawsuits. But DiGirolomo spent the money instead 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, the district attorney’s office said. None of these expenses were connected to his client.

DiGirolomo, who has already paid $99,479 in restitution, will be automatically disbarred, according to the DA’s office.

He is due back in court June 4. He is expected to be sentenced to 30 days to six months in prison if he pays the remaining restitution of approximately $131,000, or one to three years in prison if he does not pay restitution, officials said.

“This defendant used his client’s money to fund a luxurious lifestyle that included cars, country club membership and a cigar club,” Singas said in a statement about the plea.

From Jan. 1, 2014, to May 5, 2016, DiGirolomo represented the restaurateur client in three different lawsuits. To fund the settlements from the lawsuits, the client paid DiGirolomo $229,990, authorities said. Instead of sending the money to the appropriate parties, DiGirolomo kept the money for himself. He sent forged documents to his client that indicated that the lawsuits were resolved, when they were not.

After hiring a new attorney, the restaurateur discovered that none of the documents related to the settlements were filed with the court. The client then contacted district attorney’s office and a case was opened in January 2017.

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Manhasset attorney pleads guilty to stealing $230K