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FUND HAS AWARDED MORE THAN $11 MILLION TO CONSUMERS SINCE INCEPTION
The Board of Commissioners of the Clients' Security Fund of Ohio (CSF) awarded $285,981 to 38 victims of attorney theft at its meeting Friday, June 8, in Columbus. Eighteen former or suspended Ohio attorneys were found to have misappropriated client funds.
Ashtabula County
The board reimbursed $42,500 to two former clients of former attorney James M. Lemieux. The board found that Lemieux converted or otherwise failed to account for funds belonging to his clients. Lemieux resigned from the practice of law with discipline pending on Aug. 3, 2006.
Cuyahoga County
Former clients of John A. Lord were reimbursed $1,394 in fees paid for services that Lord failed to provide. Lord was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court of Ohio on Nov. 1, 2006.
Seven former clients of former attorney Howard Henkin were awarded a total of $159,296 as a result of Henkin's failure to distribute and account for funds deposited with him on behalf of his clients. Henkin pleaded guilty to eight counts of theft on Aug. 23, 2006, and resigned from the practice of law with discipline pending on June 7, 2007.
Three former clients of disbarred attorney Michael Troy Watson will receive a total of $4,200 in reimbursement from the fund as a result of Watson's failure to provide the legal services requested. Watson was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court of Ohio on Dec. 7, 2005.
A client of former attorney Michael L. Zaremsky was awarded $1,499 in reimbursement as a result of Zaremsky's failure to provide the legal services requested. Zaremsky resigned from the practice of law with discipline pending on May 30, 2006.
Erie County
Two former clients of suspended attorney Richard Huber were awarded $1,935 as a result of Huber's failure to provide the services requested by his clients. On March 22, 2006, Huber was suspended from the practice of law by the Supreme Court of Ohio for one year.
Franklin County
A former client of Deborah Tyack was reimbursed $500. Tyack accepted a fee for her services as guardian ad litem and failed to provide the services. Tyack was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court of Ohio on Nov. 16, 2005.
Two former clients of suspended attorney Mary Ann Torian were reimbursed a total of $7,500 in legal fees paid for services that Torian failed to provide. Torian was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court of Ohio on July 13, 2005.
Two former clients of former attorney Daniel Smith were reimbursed a total of $2,590 in legal fees paid for services that Smith failed to provide. Smith was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court of Ohio on Feb. 15, 2006.
A former client of suspended attorney William Gardner was reimbursed $800. Gardner failed to complete work for his client. Gardner was suspended from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court of Ohio for one year on Feb. 28, 2007. The suspension was stayed on the condition that Gardner commits no further misconduct during that time.
A $185 filing fee was reimbursed to a former client of suspended attorney Eric J. Moesle. Moesle accepted the filing fee but failed to file the documents with the court. Moesle was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court of Ohio on Nov. 2, 2005.
Lucas County
Former clients of disbarred attorney Jeffrey T. Vild were reimbursed $250 as a result of Vild's failure to provide the services requested. Vild was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court of Ohio on May 17, 2006.
Mahoning County
A former client of attorney Diane Y. Politi was reimbursed $1,205 as a result of Politi's failure to provide the services requested. Politi resigned from the practice of law with discipline pending on Dec. 20, 2004.
Montgomery County
Former clients of former attorney Daniel L. O'Brien, Jr., were reimbursed $7,500 in legal fees paid for services that O'Brien failed to complete. O'Brien resigned from the practice of law with discipline pending on Feb. 23, 2007.
A former client of suspended attorney James E. Fox was reimbursed $1,000. The board determined that Fox failed to provide the legal services requested. Fox was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court of Ohio on April 5, 2006.
Preble County
The board reimbursed $34,028 to former clients of deceased 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.
Stark County
Seven former clients of suspended attorney Steven Lo Dico were reimbursed a total of $18,350 after the board determined that Lo Dico accepted legal fees for services that he did not provide. Lo Dico's license to practice law was suspended on Feb. 23, 2006 by the Supreme Court of Ohio following his felony conviction.
Summit County
Two former clients of attorney David C. Weick were reimbursed a total of $1,250. The board determined that Weick accepted fees but failed to provide the legal services requested. Weick resigned from the practice of law with discipline pending on Feb. 23, 2006.
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 42,000 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, 614.387.9250