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The Board of Commissioners of the Clients' Security Fund of Ohio (CSF) awarded $187,729 to 33 victims of attorney theft at its meeting Friday, Dec. 7, in Columbus. Nineteen former or suspended Ohio attorneys were found to have misappropriated client funds.
Butler County
A former client of former attorney Candie L. Cornett was reimbursed $1,800 in unearned fees that Ms. Cornett failed to refund. Ms. Cornett was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio June 7, 2006.
Cuyahoga County
The board determined that former clients of seven Cuyahoga attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. The fund reimbursed $1,550 to a former client of suspended attorney Renee Scott-Chestang. The board determined that Ms. Scott-Chestang accepted fees for services and then failed to complete the services requested. Scott-Chestang was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court May 9, 2007.
A former client of former attorney Michael Dadisman was reimbursed $1,500 as a result of Mr. Dadisman's failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Dadisman was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio May 3, 2006.
A former client of former attorney Pippa L. Henderson was reimbursed $1,100 as a result of Ms. Henderson's failure to provide the services requested. Ms. Henderson was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio April 5, 2006.
A former client of former attorney Howard Henkin was reimbursed $46,000 as a result of Mr. Henkin's failure to distribute and account for funds deposited with him on behalf of his client. On Aug. 23, 2006, Mr. Henkin pleaded guilty to eight counts of theft. Mr. Henkin resigned from the practice of law with discipline pending June 7, 2007.
Two former clients of former attorney Alexander Jurczenko were reimbursed a total of $60,500 in losses sustained as a result of Mr. Jurczenko's failure to distribute or otherwise account for client funds deposited with him. Mr. Jurczenko was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio July 25, 2007.
Two former clients of suspended attorney Charles E. Wagner were reimbursed a total of $1,000 as a result of Wagner's failure to provide the services. Mr. Wagner was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio April 4, 2007.
Two former clients of former attorney Michael L. Zaremsky were reimbursed a total of $1,350 as a result of Mr. Zaremsky's failure to provide the legal services requested. Mr. Zaremsky resigned from the practice of law with discipline pending May 30, 2006.
Erie County
The fund awarded $950 to a former client of suspended Erie County attorney Richard Huber after the CSF Board of Commissioners found that Mr. Huber failed to provide the services requested by his client. On March 22, 2006, Mr. Huber was suspended from the practice of law for one year.
Fairfield County
A former client of suspended attorney Lawrence J. Novak was reimbursed $1,410 in fees paid for services that Mr. Novak failed to perform. Mr. Novak was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio Dec. 27, 2006.
Franklin County
The board determined that former clients of three Franklin County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. A former client of deceased attorney Louis W. Cennamo was reimbursed $1,000 in legal fees paid for services that Mr. Cennamo failed to provide. Mr. Cennamo passed away Sept. 19, 2006.
Five former clients of former attorney Daniel Smith were reimbursed a total of $8,750 in legal fees paid for services that Mr. Smith failed to provide. Mr. Smith was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio Feb. 15, 2006.
A former client of suspended attorney Deborah A. Tyack was reimbursed $2,500 in legal fees paid for services that Ms. Tyack failed to provide. Ms. Tyack was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio Nov. 16, 2005.
Hamilton County
Two former clients of suspended attorney Bruce L. Greenberger were reimbursed a total of $7,504 in legal fees paid for services that Mr. Greenberger failed to provide. Mr. Greenberger was suspended from the practice of law in Ohio April 4, 2007.
Mahoning County
Three former clients of former attorney Mark S. Colucci were reimbursed a total of $6,000 as a result of Mr. Colucci's failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Colucci resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Dec. 2, 2004. Mr. Colucci also was convicted of tax evasion and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Two clients of former attorney Diane Y. Politi received $2,560 in reimbursement as a result of Ms. Politi's failure to provide the services requested. Ms. Politi resigned from the practice of law, with discipline pending, Dec. 20, 2004.
Medina County
A former client of suspended attorney Christopher T. Carlson was reimbursed $6,667 in funds received by Mr. Carlson which he failed to distribute to his client. Mr. Carlson was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio Nov. 15, 2006.
Montgomery County
The board determined that two former clients of suspended attorney James E. Fox were eligible for reimbursement of $1,000 each paid to Mr. Fox for services that he failed to provide. Mr. Fox was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio April 5, 2006.
Preble County
The CSF Board reimbursed $33,588 to three former clients of deceased attorney Herd L. Bennett. Mr. Bennett obtained funds from his former clients allegedly under false pretenses and failed to repay the funds prior to his death 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 40,000 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