MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that an attorney from Manhasset pleaded guilty today to stealing nearly $230,000 from a client.
Alfred DiGirolomo, Jr., 63, pleaded guilty before Supervising Judge Teresa Corrigan to the top count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (a C felony). The defendant is due back in court on June 4 and is expected to be sentenced to 30 days to six months in jail if he pays the remaining restitution of approximately $131,000, or one to three years in prison if he does not pay restitution.
“This defendant used his client’s money to fund a luxurious lifestyle that included cars, country club membership and a cigar club,” DA Singas said. “Dirty attorneys have no place in Nassau County, and my office is committed to prosecuting any lawyer who victimizes those they represent.”
DA Singas said that from January 1, 2014, to May 5, 2016, DiGirolomo represented a client, a restaurateur, in three different lawsuits. To fund the settlements from the lawsuits, the client paid DiGirolomo $229,990. Instead of sending the money to the appropriate parties, the defendant kept the money for himself. DiGirolomo sent forged documents to his client that indicated that the lawsuits were resolved, when in fact they were not.
After the client hired a new attorney, it was discovered that none of the documents pertaining to the settlements were filed with the court. The client then contacted the NCDA, and a case was opened in January 2017.
Instead of using the money to fund the lawsuits, the defendant used the money to pay for expenses related to credit cards, utilities, gasoline, automobiles, insurance, department stores, a civic association, a figure skating club, a cigar club, and a country club – all of which were unrelated to his client.
To date, the defendant has paid $99,479 in restitution. DiGirolomo will be automatically disbarred, as a result of the plea.
The defendant was arrested by NCDA investigators in May 2017.
Since 2012, the NCDA has prosecuted more than 25 attorneys for misconduct.
If you believe you may have been a victim of an unscrupulous attorney, please call the NCDA’s Tip Line at 516-571-7755. Anyone interested in hiring an attorney is encouraged to check that person’s standing and registration with the Office of Court Administration.
Deputy Bureau Chief Peter Mancuso of DA Singas’ Financial Crimes Bureau is prosecuting this case. James Froccaro, Esq., represents the defendant.
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