MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Jericho-based attorney has been convicted of stealing more than $187,000 in personal injury settlement funds awarded to her client, using the money to carry on her Jericho law practice and for various personal expenditures.
Nancy Enoksen, 49, of Islip, was convicted yesterday by a jury of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (a C felony). The trial, before Judge Howard Sturim, lasted for seven days and the jury deliberated for an hour and a half. Bail was set at $187,000, approximately the same amount as the defendant stole. The defendant is due back in court February 26 for sentencing and faces up to five to 15 years in prison.
“Attorneys have a responsibility to act in the best interest of their clients, but this greedy lawyer betrayed her professional obligations and stole more than $187,000 for personal expenses,” DA Singas said. “We have prosecuted many unscrupulous attorneys for stealing from their clients, and this case should send a strong message to any shady lawyer that it’s simply not worth it.”
DA Singas said that in November 2008, the victim, a woman from Bellmore, retained Enoksen, to represent her in various personal matters. During the course of Enoksen’s representation, the woman settled a personal injury lawsuit for more than $400,000, in which she was represented by another attorney. Enoksen advised the victim to place the funds into an escrow account which she would maintain for her client.
Between August 19, 2013 and April 30, 2014, Enoksen withdrew more than $187,000 from the escrow account, without the permission or knowledge of her client and used the money to continue her law practice and for other personal expenses like trips to Canada, a monthly BMW car payment and for shopping at Lord & Taylor and Macy’s.
Since 2012, the DAs office has prosecuted more than 20 attorneys for misconduct.
Senior Investigative Counsel Mary Ruddy and Deputy Chief Peter Mancuso of DA Singas’ Government and Consumer Frauds Bureau are prosecuting the case. Enoksen is represented by Michael Alber, Esq.
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