June 9, 2008
Victims of Attorney Theft Awarded More Than
$200,000 by Clients’ Security Fund
More Than $12 Million Returned to Consumers Since Fund's Inception
The Board of Commissioners of the Clients’ Security Fund of Ohio (CSF) awarded $208,188 to 25 victims of attorney theft at its meeting Friday, June 6, in Columbus. Nineteen former or suspended Ohio attorneys were found to have misappropriated client funds.
More information about the disciplinary cases against some of these attorneys is available on the online docket of the Supreme Court of Ohio at: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/Clerk/ecms/searchbypartyname.asp.
Butler County
The board reimbursed $1,065 to a former client of deceased attorney Herbert V. Walsh after a determination that Mr. Walsh failed to render the services requested before his death on Oct. 9, 2006.
Cuyahoga County
The board determined that former clients of seven Cuyahoga attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. A former client of former attorney Timothy J. Jarabek was reimbursed $500 as a result of Mr. Jarabek’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Jarabek’s license to practice law was suspended on Oct. 3, 2006 following his felony conviction.
A former client of suspended attorney Joan A. Kodish was reimbursed $2,050 as a result of Ms. Kodish’s failure to provide the services requested. Ms. Kodish was suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on Aug. 23, 2006.
A former client of former attorney George C. Kovacs was reimbursed $5,000 as a result of Mr. Kovacs’ deceiving his client to obtain money. Mr. Kovacs resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on March 26, 2007.
A former client of former attorney John A. Lord was reimbursed $1,000 as a result of Mr. Lord’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Lord was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Aug. 29, 2007.
A former client of former attorney James L. Major Jr. was reimbursed $500 as a result of Mr. Major’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Major resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Sept. 28, 2007.
Two former clients of former attorney David T. Mazanec were reimbursed a total of $146,890 as a result of Mr. Mazanec’s conversion of client funds held in a trust established for the two clients. Mr. Mazanec was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Aug. 29, 2007.
Two former clients of former attorney Richard F. Smith Jr. were reimbursed a total of $1,310 in fees paid for services that Mr. Smith did not provide. Mr. Smith was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Aug. 29, 2007.
Erie County
A former client of suspended attorney Richard Huber was awarded $660 after the board 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
Two former clients of former attorney Steven E. Zigan were reimbursed a total of $1,380 as a result of Mr. Zigan’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Zigan was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on May 1, 2008.
Franklin County
The board determined that former clients of three Franklin County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. A former client of suspended attorney Thomas J. Broschak was reimbursed $7,000 in legal fees paid for services that Mr. Broschak failed to provide. Mr. Broschak’s license to practice law was suspended indefinitely on May 15, 2008.
Two former clients of former attorney Andrew R. Haney were reimbursed $3,500 in legal fees paid for services that Mr. Haney failed to provide. Mr. Haney resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Aug. 30, 2007.
A former client of disbarred attorney Daniel S. Smith was reimbursed $2,500 in legal fees paid for services that Mr. Smith failed to provide. Mr. Smith was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Feb. 15, 2006.
Mahoning County
The board determined that former clients of three Mahoning County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. A former client of Mark S. Colucci was reimbursed $750 in legal fees paid to Mr. Colucci for services that he failed to provide. Mr. Colucci resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Dec. 2, 2004.
A former client of suspended attorney Charles E. Curry was reimbursed $250 paid to Mr. Curry for services that he failed to provide. Mr. Curry’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended on Dec. 27, 2006.
A former client of former attorney Edward F. Sturgeon was reimbursed $1,000 as a result of Mr. Sturgeon’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Sturgeon was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Nov. 15, 2006.
Montgomery County
The board determined that former clients of two Montgomery County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. A former client of suspended attorney David H. Landon was reimbursed $550 in legal fees paid to Mr. Landon for services that he failed to provide. Mr. Landon’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended indefinitely on Feb. 22, 2006.
A former client of suspended attorney Thomas G. Mathewson was reimbursed $600 in legal fees paid to Mr. Mathewson for services that he failed to provide. Mr. Mathewson’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended indefinitely on May 16, 2007.
Preble County
The board reimbursed $31,683 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 before his death on April 9, 2002.
The CSF was created in 1985 by the Supreme Court 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 35,000 attorneys engaged in the active practice of law. Less than one-tenth of 1 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 toll-free in Ohio at 1.800.231.1680.
Contact Chris Davey or Bret Crow, 614.387.9250.