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FUND HAS AWARDED MORE THAN $10 MILLION TO CONSUMERS SINCE INCEPTION
The Board of Commissioners of the Clients' Security Fund of Ohio (CSF) awarded $148,618 to 30 victims of attorney theft at its meeting Friday, Sept. 15, in Columbus. Twelve former or suspended Ohio attorneys were found to have misappropriated client funds.
Butler County
The board reimbursed $20,500 to 11 former clients of former Butler County attorney Candie Lynn Cornett. Cornett accepted fees but failed to provide the services requested. Cornett was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on June 7, 2006.
Cuyahoga County
Former clients of five Cuyahoga County attorneys were reimbursed by the CSF. Two former clients of suspended attorney Arthur R. Frazier were reimbursed $6,446 in fees paid for services that Frazier failed to provide. Frazier was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Sept. 13, 2006.
The board reimbursed $1,000 to a client of attorney James C. Williams after finding that Williams' Estate was unable to reimburse fees he accepted prior to his death but failed to complete the services requested. Williams suffered a heart attack and passed away in November 2003.
Another $5,578 was awarded to a client of former attorney Michael Dadisman. The board determined that Dadisman failed to account for funds accepted on behalf of his client. Dadisman was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on May 3, 2006.
A former client of Steven I. Helfgott was reimbursed $500 as a result of Helfgott's failure to refund unearned fees. Helfgott was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on June 7, 2006.
Four former clients of Renee B. Scott-Chestang were reimbursed a total of $9,784 as a result of Scott-Chestang's failure to provide the services requested.
Franklin County
The board also determined that former clients of three Franklin County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement as a result of the attorneys' failure to return unearned legal fees. A reimbursement of $2,250 was awarded to two former clients of Daniel S. Smith. Smith accepted fees but failed to provide the services requested and was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Feb. 15, 2006.
A former client of suspended attorney Cynthia J. Harris was reimbursed $1,826 as a result of Harris' failure to provide the services requested. Harris was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on April 6, 2006.
A former client of suspended attorney Deborah Tyack was reimbursed $2,500 by the board after a finding that she accepted fees but failed to complete the services to be provided. Tyack was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on Nov. 16, 2005.
Lucas County
A former client of Lucas County attorney Jeffrey Vild was reimbursed $300 as a result of Vild's failure to provide the services requested. Vild was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on May 17, 2006.
Mahoning County
Two clients of former Mahoning County attorney Mark S. Colucci were reimbursed a total of $10,500 as a result of Colucci's failure to provide the services requested. Colucci resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Dec. 2, 2004. Colucci also was convicted of tax evasion and was sentenced to 18 months.
Preble County
The board reimbursed $87,435 to three former clients of Preble County attorney Herd L. Bennett. Bennett obtained funds from his former clients allegedly under false pretenses and failed to repay the funds prior to his death on April 9, 2002.
The CSF was created in 1985 by the Supreme Court of Ohio to reimburse victims of attorney theft, embezzlement or misappropriation. The CSF is not taxpayer funded, but funded entirely by registration fees paid by every Ohio attorney. Ohio has more than 41,000 attorneys engaged in the active practice of law. Less than one-tenth of one percent of those attorneys is involved in CSF claims.
Law clients who believe they have sustained financial losses resulting from attorney theft, embezzlement or misappropriation should contact the CSF by calling 614.387.9390 or 1.800.231.1680 toll-free in Ohio.
Contact: Janet Green Marbley, 614.387.9390 or Andrea M. Strle at 614.387.9250.