Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Disbarred Lawyer Confesses

An Erie lawyer known for his service to the poor walked into the Erie County Courthouse seven months ago and admitted to prosecutors that he had drained nearly $200,000 from an estate in his care.

It appears that the now-disbarred lawyer, J. Gregory Moore, will be making his final confession on the matter to a federal judge.

Moore, 62, was charged Friday in U.S. District Court in Erie with two felony counts of mail fraud stemming from his handling of five estates in his care.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Moore spent about $200,000 from estates in his care on his own expenses. It said he also used nearly $65,000 out of two estates to make disbursements from three others.

The charges were filed via a "criminal information," in which the Attorney's Office pursues charges without first presenting the evidence to a grand jury. Moore waived an indictment, which in federal court signals that the case will proceed on a fast track directly to a guilty plea. In return, Moore will receive credit for his cooperation with authorities.

Moore was not taken into custody with the filing of the federal charges. He has been free after posting $1,000, or 10 percent of the full bond of $10,000, related to state charges still pending against him.

Full Article and Source:
Disbarred Erie Lawyer Faces Federal Mail Fraud Charges

7 comments:

StandUp said...

I don't want to say too much good about someone who would do what Gregory Moore did, but at least he's stepping up to the plate and confessing.

Anonymous said...

Another case where he got caught with mail fraud.

It seems to be the only charge that really sticks.

Anonymous said...

$200,000? That's a lot of money - how long was he siphoning, I wonder.

Betty said...

Remember this all you experts who say to watch out for family thieves.

Sometimes the thieves are those professing to be the most ethical persons.

Anonymous said...

A fast track to jail is very appropriate for J. Gregory Moore.

Anonymous said...

What about restitution? Has the word even been uttered?

Sue said...

"Moore, said he could not remember taking the money..... He admitted that bank records, including canceled checks, showed he had taken about $191,000."

He couldn't remember taking a large amount of money? What else did he do, how much did he steal, that he doesn't remember?

And, yes, where is the part about restitution? I don't see it. I betcha this guy gets a sweet deal. I hope I'm wrong but I feel it coming.