Ex-attorney took client’s funds until ‘nothing left to steal’

MLive file photo

A former Holland attorney faces federal prison for stealing from clients. (File photo | MLive.com)

By John Agar | jagar@mlive.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A former Holland lawyer facing federal prison said he violated his position of trust when he stole $340,000 from two clients, including an incapacitated victim.

“I understand how damaging my actions have been and the great pain I have caused for so many,” Jeffrey James Palmer, 45, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker.

Palmer will be sentenced Monday afternoon, June 17, in Grand Rapids. Advisory sentencing guidelines call for a minimum sentencing ranging from 33 to 41 months.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher O’Connor said Palmer stole from a vulnerable victim, over the course of five years, while entrusted to take care of his finances. IRS-Criminal Investigation agents, investigating the “suspicious movement of his funds in Palmer’s account for personal use,” determined the victim was incapacitated and unable to understand what Palmer had done.

The victim, in an assisted-living home, had no surviving spouse or children.

Palmer took money from the victim, identified in court documents by initials, T.W., in 118 transactions, the government said.

“He literally stole from T.W. until there was nothing left to steal – or pay for T.W.’s continued care,” O’Connor wrote.

“It is reasonable to assume that Palmer’s plan to seat from T.W. was premised on an expectation that T.W. would not outlive his money (and) that Palmer’s crime would go undetected after T.W. passed away. When T.W. outlived his money, the scheme started to unravel.” 

When T.W.’s money ran out, Palmer took funds from another client to cover T.W.’s expenses as well as his own, his attorney said.

Sean Tilton, the attorney, said Palmer had professional and personal relationships with the victims. His financial problems led to the thefts.

“Mr. Palmer is deeply remorseful for committing this offense,” Tilton said.

He said that Palmer consented to the revocation of his law license and does not expect to be able to practice law in the future. He has left his wife in a “very difficult financial position,” his attorney said.

Twenty supporters, including Palmer’s wife, wrote letters on his behalf to the judge. A friend said she was stunned by the allegations but thinks he will continue to have a positive impact on his family, church and community.

“To me, Jeffrey is a trusted, kind, and reliable friend — he has often been the person I have called in moments when I needed emotional support and encouragement," she wrote.

“Mr. Palmer regrets disappointing the people close to him,” his attorney said in a sentencing memorandum.

Palmer has been working as a second-shift forklift operator in a meat-processing plant. 

He said he felt relief when he was finally caught. He felt a great amount of guilt and desperation and said he hoped to use his experiences to help others.

Palmer pleaded guilty to wire fraud and making a false statement on a tax return.

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Ex-attorney took client’s funds until ‘nothing left to steal’