Disbarred Manchester Attorney Indicted on Four Theft Charges

Attorney General John M. Formella announces that on June 20, 2023, the Hillsborough County-Northern District Grand Jury returned indictments charging David C. Dunn, age 63, of Durham (formerly of Manchester), with four class A felony counts of theft by misapplication of property and four class A felony counts of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer. Mr. Dunn is a former attorney who practiced in Manchester. He was disbarred in 2022.

The theft by misapplication indictments allege that between March 3, 2016, and June 9, 2021, Mr. Dunn, pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct, obtained funds in an aggregate amount of more than $1,500, from two revocable trusts in which he served as trustee, and one estate for which he served as executor, upon agreement or subject to a known legal obligation to make a specified payment to trust and estate beneficiaries, and Mr. Dunn recklessly failed to make the specified payments and dealt with the property as his own.

Additionally, the theft by unauthorized taking indictments alleged that between March 3, 2016, and June 9, 2021, Mr. Dunn, pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct, obtained or exercised unauthorized control over funds from two trust accounts and one estate account, property of another, in an aggregate amount of more than $1,500, with a purpose to deprive the owners thereof.

If convicted, Mr. Dunn faces up to 7 ½ – 15 years in the New Hampshire State Prison and a $4,000 fine on each charge. Mr. Dunn is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges in the Hillsborough County Superior Court-Northern District on July 20, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and Mr. Dunn is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This matter was investigated by Investigator Calice Couchman-Ducey of the Consumer Protection Bureau. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Bryan  J. Townsend, II, of the Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of elder abuse or financial exploitation, please contact your local police department or the Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (1-800-949-0470).

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Disbarred Manchester Attorney Indicted on Four Theft Charges

Ex-Atlanta attorney indicted in $250,000 theft of client fees

A former Atlanta attorney was indicted on 30 theft by taking by fiduciary and two forgery counts Tuesday nearly four years after allegations arose that he stole more than $266,000 from clients.

A grand jury issued the indictment against Robert Thompson Jr., 65, Fulton County District Attorney spokesman Dontaye Carter said in a release.

During the initial investigation in May 2014, police discovered Thompson misappropriated more than $75,000 from seven clients, Carter said. Once the case got to the district attorney’s office, authorities identified 22 other victims and revealed Thompson allegedly misappropriated more than $191,000.

Thompson, who specialized in foreclosures, was disbarred by the Georgia Supreme Court in February 2015. He had practiced law for nearly 40 years.

Carter said if convicted, Thompson could face 480 years in prison.

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Ex-Atlanta attorney indicted in $250,000 theft of client fees

NJ Lawyer Indicted for Stealing From Elderly Client

A disbarred New Jersey lawyer is facing charges that he fleeced an elderly client out of nearly $100,000.

A state grand jury on Nov. 9 indicted Jersey City solo Joseph Talafous Jr., 53, on charges of second-degree theft by deception and misapplication of entrusted property, according to a statement released by Acting Attorney General John Hoffman and Elie Honig, the director of the Division of Criminal Justice.

Talafous, a Toms River resident, was disbarred by consent in August, according to records maintained by the state Administrative Office of the Courts.

The division's Financial and Computer Crimes Bureau said Talafous stole more than $96,000 by making unauthorized withdrawals from the bank account and estate of an elderly man he represented. The victim was not identified.

Between November 2008 and November 2010, Talafous allegedly used his power of attorney to make numerous unauthorized withdrawals from an investment account of the client and, after the client died in early 2010, from the client's estate, the Attorney General's Office said.

Talafous is charged with falsely representing that the withdrawals, which totaled $96,020, represented fees for legal services. However, Talafous never submitted any bills or records of legal services to support the withdrawals. He allegedly stole $61,175 from the investment account and $34,845 from the estate, the Attorney General's Office said.

In his statement, Hoffman said the case was referred to the Division of Criminal Justice by the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics.

"Lawyers are supposed to diligently guard the interests of their clients, but instead Talafous allegedly took advantage of this elderly client to the tune of $96,000, repeatedly stealing from the ailing man while he lived and then continuing to steal from his estate," Hoffman said in his statement. "Talafous' conduct was deplorable."

Talafous' voicemail was full and attempts to contact him for comment were unsuccessful.

Talafous faces a possible five- to 10-year prison sentence a $150,000 fine if convicted.

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NJ Lawyer Indicted for Stealing From Elderly Client