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Embezzling Paralegal Still Has a Job - In a Law Office

By Lynne DeVenny

I occasionally share news stories about legal staffers who embezzle money from law firms, but I can't think of many (or any) where the accused, or the convicted, still worked for lawyers after getting officially busted.

So this embezzling paralegal story is unusual. Connecticut real estate paralegal Dorothy Donaldson currently works for a Norwich law firm, despite having entered into a plea agreement for first-degree larceny, after stealing over $22,000.00 (via 44 duplicate payroll checks) from a prior employer, the law firm of Stanley Lucas.

Donaldson received a suspended sentence and was ordered to pay $15,000.00 in restitution, most of which she has already paid.

But state prosecutor Lawrence Tytla is "troubled by the fact Donaldson is employed at another Norwich law firm and never really explained what prompted the theft."

Now Donaldson is a convicted felon. I'm guessing that her new employer doesn't let her anywhere near a firm checkbook.

Related Post: Paralegal's Embezzlement Hearing Continued

Full post as published by Practical Paralegalism on December 02, 2009 (boomark / email).