Recent News

October 6, 2006

Victims of attorney theft awarded more than $148,000

The Board of Commissioners of the Clients' Security Fund of Ohio (CSF) awarded $148,618 to thirty victims of attorney theft. Twelve former or suspended Ohio attorneys were found to have misappropriated client funds.

The board determined that former clients of three Franklin Countyattorneys 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, who accepted fees but failed to provide the services requested and was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio.

A former client of 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.

A former client of 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.

The board reimbursed $20,500 to eleven former clients of Butler Countyattorney Candie Lynn Cornett. Cornett accepted fees but failed to provide the services requested. Cornett was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio.

Former clients of five Cuyahoga Countyattorneys were reimbursed by the CSF. Two former clients of 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.

The board reimbursed $1,000 to a client of 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 2003.

Another $5,578 was awarded to a client of 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.

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.

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.

A former client of Lucas Countyattorney 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.

Two clients of former Mahoning Countyattorney 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. Colucci also was convicted of tax evasion and was sentenced to eighteen months.

The board reimbursed $87,435 to three former clients of Preble Countyattorney Herd L. Bennett. Bennett obtained funds from his former clients allegedly under false pretenses and failed to repay the funds prior to his death in 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.