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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 $123,088.18 to 26 victims of attorney theft at its meeting Friday, Sept. 7, in Columbus. Seventeen former or suspended Ohio attorneys were found to have misappropriated client funds.
Ashtabula County
The board reimbursed $31,585 to two former clients of former Ashtabula County attorney James M. Lemieux. The board found that Lemieux settled claims on behalf of his clients but failed to distribute the funds to his clients. Lemieux resigned from the practice of law with discipline pending on Aug. 3, 2006.
Cuyahoga County
Former clients of eight Cuyahoga County attorneys were reimbursed by the fund. A former client of Joseph J. Church was reimbursed $1,000 in fees paid for services that Church failed to provide. Church was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court on June 20, 2007.
A former client of Howard Henkin was reimbursed $10,500 as a result of Henkin's failure to distribute and account for funds deposited with him on behalf of his client. On Aug. 23, 2006, Henkin pleaded guilty to eight counts of theft. Henkin resigned from the practice of law with discipline pending on June 7, 2007.
Three former clients of former attorney Alexander Jurczenko were reimbursed a total of $12,800 in losses sustained as a result of Jurczenko's failure to distribute or otherwise account for client funds deposited with him. Jurczenko was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court on July 25, 2007.
A former client of John A. Lord was reimbursed $1,100 in fees paid for services that Lord failed to provide. Lord was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court on Aug. 29, 2007.
A former client of Thomas G. McNally was reimbursed $500 in fees paid to McNally for services that he failed to provide. McNally was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court on July 12, 2006.
A former client of Charles E. Wagner was reimbursed $1,300 for accepting fees and failing to provide the services. Wagner was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court on April 4, 2007.
A former client of former attorney Michael L. Zaremsky was reimbursed $700 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.
An estate was reimbursed $42,458.18 as a result of the failure of former attorney Dale P. Zucker to repay funds belonging to the estate and its beneficiaries. Zucker resigned from the practice of law with discipline pending on June 26, 2007.
Erie County
A total of $960 was awarded to a former client of suspended Erie County attorney Richard Huber after the board found that Huber failed to provide the services requested by his client. On March 22, 2006, Huber was suspended from the practice of law by the Supreme Court for one year.
Franklin County
The board determined that former clients of four Franklin County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. A former client of Louis W. Cennamo was reimbursed $500 in legal fees paid for services that Cennamo failed to provide. Cennamo is now deceased.
A former client of Robert J. Eppich was reimbursed $4,560 as a result of Eppich's failure to distribute settlement funds obtained on his client's behalf. Eppich is now deceased.
Seven former clients of former Franklin County attorney Daniel Smith were reimbursed a total of $7,525 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 on Feb. 15, 2006.
A former client of suspended Franklin County attorney Mary Ann Torian were reimbursed $2,500 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 on July 13, 2005.
Montgomery County
The board determined that a former client of Montgomery County attorney Thomas G. Mathewson was eligible for reimbursement of $1,000 paid to Mathewson for services that he failed to provide. Mathewson was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court on May 16, 2007.
Perry County
The board determined that a former client of Perry County attorney Curtis Griffith Jr. was eligible for reimbursement of $2,000 paid to Griffith for services that he failed to provide. Griffith was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court on Dec. 27, 2006.
Stark County
A former client of suspended Stark County attorney Steven Lo Dico was reimbursed $1,500 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 following his felony conviction.
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, 614.387.9250